The CU Boulder Student Relief Fund Emergency Grant is designed to assist enrolled students with a financial emergency in the current term that is impacting their ability to stay on track towards graduation. Students must be either in danger of withdrawing due to an unexpected, temporary financial hardship resulting from an emergency or crisis situation; or struggling with debilitating financial circumstances which may impede their academic progress and ability to complete classes. The emergency grant is only available to students who face a legal barrier to accessing federal or state financial aid. The costs must have been incurred while enrolled at CU Boulder; costs for a future academic year will not be considered.

Emergency funding is provided in the form of one-time per year awards. It is not intended to provide ongoing relief for recurring expenses. These awards are grants and do not need to be repaid.

The value of the award will range in response to the needs of the student but does not typically exceed $1,000.

Examples include, but are not limited to:
  • Unpaid tuition and fees
  • Books and supplies
  • Car repairs
  • Child care
  • Standard living expenses including rent, food, utilities
  • Emergency travel due to family emergency, crisis, or death
  • Medical or dental expenses not covered by insurance
  • Other immediate critical needs of the student causing acute financial stress

  • Be a currently enrolled CU Boulder student enrolled at least half-time (6 credit hours for undergraduates; 4 credit hours for grad/law)
  • Face a legal impediment to accessing federal or state financial aid
  • Have graduated from high school or received a GED, within the U.S.
  • Be in good academic standing
  • Demonstrate financial hardship due to emergency, accident, illness, or other unforeseen event
  • Consider (or have exhausted) alternative funding options for assistance. These may include emergency loans through academic departments, student aid, or other community sources

Students who fall under the Colorado Advancing Students for a Stronger Economy Tomorrow (ASSET) Bill or have a Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) status will receive preference.

Each emergency grant application is reviewed individually by a committee on a monthly basis. Many factors are considered in making a decision to approve or deny a request. These factors include, but are not limited to:
  • The nature and urgency of the student’s emergency
  • The totality of the student’s hardship
  • Other resources or support that the student may or may not have available to them
  • The specific and immediate impacts the emergency may be having on the student’s living and academic circumstances; and
  • Other information provided by third parties, such as advocates or advisors, that may help to illuminate and clarify the student’s situation in developing appropriate rationale for decisions.