Students First Fund Request Form

Students First Fund

The purpose of the Students First Fund is to enable University community members to demonstrate to our students that they are an important and valuable part of our community. Through this fund, members of the University community will be able to request help for students after unforeseen misfortunes have occurred (e.g., fire, accident, illness). Funds may be used to pay for unanticipated costs. Routine expenses related to daily living are not considered unforeseen. The goal of the Students  First Fund is to provide a student with limited emergency assistance during a time of need.

Eligibility Requirements

To be considered for the Students First Fund, individuals must meet the criteria listed below:

  • Enrolled at UConn
  • Priority will be given to undergraduate or graduate degree seeking students
  • Demonstrate financial hardship due to an emergency situation, or for unanticipated and compelling circumstances that jeopardize the student’s ability to successfully continue at UConn
  • Accessing all other possible funding sources as appropriate including student loans

Process to Request Support

University of Connecticut staff, faculty and/or students may create a request for support by submitting a brief statement (maximum of 500 words) outlining the individual student’s needs using the form below. Students may submit requests for support on their own behalf. Supporting documentation (e.g., receipts showing date of purchase, breakdown of expenses, etc.) must be included with the request.

Review Process

Once the request is received, the student’s enrollment will be verified and financial aid status will be reviewed. Financial aid status must be reviewed in advance to ensure that the receipt of this grant would not adversely impact the student’s aid package. Requests will be reviewed on an ongoing basis as they are submitted.

Students may request up to $1,000; please note requested amounts are not guaranteed. The Students First Fund cannot meet the needs of all requests and when appropriate students will be referred to other potential funding sources for possible assistance.

The process to review requests and notify a student of the decision typically takes four to six weeks. Once the committee makes a decision, the student will be notified of the status of the request via email.

Students First Fund Request

  • Nominator's Information

  • MM slash DD slash YYYY

  • Student's Information

  • Please give a summary of what is needed - money for food, computer, belongings, etc.
  • Please supply the estimated amount (up to $1,000) of financial support needed.
  • Please provide a brief statement outlining the circumstances which have created and/or contributed to the need for support. Include the date of the incident and attach appropriate supporting documentation.
  • Please upload any documentation to support the request if it is available. If not provided, students may be asked to provide it when the request is under review.
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