Health Professions Student Emergency Support Fund

The purpose of the Health Professions Student Emergency Support Fund is to assist health professions students at the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health by promoting financial wellness through limited, financial support. Financial support may be used for assistance with emergency expenses surrounding situations such as accidents, illness, death of a family member, fire damage, or theft.

Types of permissible expenses include, but are not limited to, travel costs related to death or serious illness in one’s immediate family; medication or other health costs not covered by a student’s health insurance; childcare or other expenses due to illness; safety needs; the replacement of essential personal belongings due to theft, fire or other natural disasters. These funds are intended to provide some relief and, in turn, to help support the well-being of students during emergencies.

Eligibility Criteria

Applicants must be an enrolled student in the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health and have temporary hardship resulting from an emergency, accident or other unexpected critical incidents. Funding amounts will generally not exceed $1,000 and are subject to fund availability. Funding approval will be determined through an application process and committee decision.

Funds received through the Health Professions Student Emergency Support Fund are considered grants and do not have to be paid back. Students are encouraged to work closely with the Financial Aid team during financial emergencies. These funds were made possible from the support of the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, the Wisconsin Medical Alumni Association, and alumni.

Process

Complete the funding application form. Upon submission, the Health Professions Student Emergency Support Fund Committee will review the application. Students will be promptly notified via email of any approved funds, typically within one week.

Students are encouraged to sign up for eRefunding to expedite the disbursement process. Students that have not signed up for eRefunding will receive a check via U.S. mail. Checks are mailed to the address on file in your MyUW Portal profile.

Questions regarding the Health Professions Student Emergency Support Fund can be directed to studentservices@med.wisc.edu.

Apply for Funding