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
Eligibility and Applying
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 Spring 2025 application is now closed.
