WesternU Student Emergency Support Fund

Dear WesternU Community,

At Western University of Health Sciences, our commitment to our students extends beyond the classroom and clinical sites. We recognize that unexpected circumstances can arise at any time, and even a temporary financial hardship can create significant challenges for a student working toward their educational and professional goals.

We want to ensure that our students are aware of an important resource available to them: the WesternU Student Emergency Support Fund.

The Student Emergency Support Fund provides direct financial assistance to currently enrolled WesternU students who are unable to meet immediate, essential expenses due to a one-time or temporary hardship arising from an unexpected emergency that threatens to derail their academic progress.

We understand that unexpected emergencies can take many forms. Qualifying immediate and essential expenses may include, but are not limited to:

• Unexpected loss of housing
• Sudden medical or dental expenses
• Urgent transportation needs
• Theft or fire
• Natural disasters
• Death of a family member
• Other urgent and unforeseen circumstances creating a temporary financial hardship

The purpose of this fund is simple but important: to help our students when a one-time or temporary hardship arising from an unexpected emergency threatens to interrupt their education or their ability to meet an immediate essential need.

Award amounts are determined based upon the nature of the unexpected emergency, the individual student’s circumstances, and the documented expense. In extraordinary situations, awards may exceed $1,500. Students requesting assistance must demonstrate a one-time or temporary hardship arising from an unexpected emergency and an immediate essential need and provide documentation related to such expenses. The fund is intended specifically for unforeseen emergencies and cannot be used for ongoing or previously budgeted expenses or as a replacement for standard financial aid options.

Importantly, under current federal guidance, assistance provided through the Student Emergency Support Fund is not treated as Other Financial Assistance and will not reduce or otherwise affect a student’s financial aid award.

Applications are accepted year-round, with the exception of brief periods of scheduled system maintenance at the end of July.

Link to the WesternU Student Emergency Support Fund: https://westernu.academicworks.com/opportunities/7393

We encourage our faculty, staff, and university leaders to help us share awareness of this important resource. If you know a student who is experiencing an unexpected financial emergency, please encourage them to explore the Student Emergency Support Fund. Sometimes simply knowing that assistance is available can make an extraordinary difference during a difficult moment.

To our students: please know that you are part of a community that cares deeply about your success and well-being. Unexpected emergencies should not have to derail the tremendous investment you have made in your education and your future. When challenges arise, we encourage you to reach out and take advantage of the resources available to support you.

Our students are at the heart of WesternU, and we remain committed to doing everything we can to help them persist, succeed, and ultimately fulfill their calling as compassionate health care professionals.

Office of the President
Western University of Health Sciences