KU Cares: Financial Assistance

The KU Care Team works to connect KU students who face financial emergencies with funds and/or resources, that can help them put their focus back on school. 

APPLY FOR EMERGENCY financial ASSISTANCE

Students can apply for funds at KU Care Team Emergency Funds Request.  A KU Care Team member will contact applicants within five - seven business days of receipt.  Applications are considered on a case-by case basis.

As before, all aid options must be exhausted before emergency aid will be considered.

Financial assistance options

Financial Assistance is available in many forms through donations received from KU's extended families and supporters.  Not all students are eligible for all funds.  All funding is first come first serve.  Individual limits may exist for all funding requests.

Student must be actively enrolled in order to be considered for emergency funding of any kind.

Helping Paws

This fund supports students with unexpected financial emergencies that develop through other life circumstances.  These funds are very limited and not eligible to be used towards a tuition bill.

Just in Time

The Morris & Dorothy Beebe Just in Time fund supports senior students who experience financial emergencies that interfere with school as they approach graduation. 

resources that can lend a hand in your time of need

There are many resources available to students to help them in a variety of ways.

Food Pantry Services

KU is pleased to offer a Bear Essentials Food Pantry on campus in the McFarland Student Union and the KU Student Food Pantry, as a satellite of Friend, Inc., located with special service hours at the Lutheran Center near the Admissions house.  For more details including days and hours of service, please click here. (SNAP benefit information is also on this page)

HELP STUDENTS IN CRISIS - donate today!

Many Golden Bears need your help to get through crises that could jeopardize their academic success and/or physical or emotional well-being.  Help us help students in crisis by raising funds for emergency support for one of the funds listed below.

HELPING PAWS EMERGENCY FUND

The Helping Paws Emergency Fund supports students with unexpected financial emergencies that develop through other life circumstances.

JUST IN TIME

The Morris & Dorothy Beebe Just in Time fund supports senior students who experience financial emergencies that interfere with school as they approach graduation. 

Closed / exhausted Funding Sources

CARES Act - HEERF I - Closed

On March 27, 2020, the CARES Act was passed to provide emergency relief as part of the Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund (HEERF I).  The funds were designated to assist those that were disrupted as a result of the Coronavirus pandemic shutting down campus.  This student funding has been exhausted with over $3M given to our KU students.  This program is now closed.

CRRSAA - HEERF II - Closed

On December 27, 2020 the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act was passed (CRRSAA).  These funds, while similar to CARES Act funds, are set to promote and ensure learning continues during the pandemic in higher education with a focus on exceptional need.  This student funding has been exhausted with over $3M given to our KU students.  This program is now closed.

ARPA - HEERF III - Closed

On March 11, 2021, the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA), was passed to provide additional relief to address the continued impact of COVID-19.  These funds, similar to CRRSAA funds, are set to promote and ensure learning continues during the pandemic in higher education with a focus on exceptional need stemming from a COVID-19 impact.  These funds can be used to directly help with a students tuition bill at KU or be refunded for external support.  There are limitations on student eligibility.  Request must be COVID related to utilize this funding.  This program is now closed.

Bears Band Together - Closed

This special fund supports students facing financial emergencies as a result of a community, national, or pandemic crisis.  This program is now closed.