Emergency Funds

ISSS Emergency Funds are available to provide financial support for current F-1/J-1 international students who have experienced an emergency situation.

Emergency funds are to be used for short-term situations to help students through the crisis and are not intended to cover long-term expenses. In most circumstances, these funds will be only given one time and for a specific emergency situation.

Examples of an emergency situation include, but are not limited to:

  • A serious illness or injury to the student that results in high medical bills and expenses that the student is not able to pay
  • Criminal victimization such as a robbery, assault, or other crime that causes monetary or physical injury
  • A fire or other serious problems affecting the student’s housing
  • A serious illness or death in the immediate family that requires travel to visit a sick family member or attending a funeral
  • Short-term food insecurity

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Eligibility Requirements

Meeting these criteria does not guarantee that you will receive ISSS funding. If you are in F-1 or J-1 status and do not meet all the criteria and have extenuating circumstances, you can still apply. Extenuating circumstances are considered, even if not all criteria are met.

  • Document the emergency situation
  • Be enrolled in a degree program at the University of Minnesota Twin Cities
  • Be registered for at least 1 credit
  • Be in legal F-1 or J-1 student status
  • Have financial need with covering the costs related to the emergency

Required Documentation

You will need to submit the following documents with your application.

  • Documentation of the emergency
  • Receipts of payment (if you are requesting reimbursement for anything you previously paid)
  • Any additional documentation you feel may support your case

Additional documentation and information may be requested.

How to Apply

The Fall 2024 application is available now. 

Last updated: August 1, 2024