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student-resources

Law Student Emergency Fund

The Law Student Emergency Fund (LSEF) is designed to provide short-term financial assistance to law students facing urgent, unforeseen financial hardships that could impact their academic success. The fund, supported by generous contributions, is managed within the Office of Student Affairs and operates independently of the university-wide emergency fund. 

If awarded, recipients may receive up to $1,000 per semester with the potential for an additional $500 for extenuating circumstances. Payment is administered through the Financial Aid and Bursar’s Office, if approved. 

 

Students will receive a written decision within 3–5 business days via university email and, if granted, can expect to receive funding within 10-14 business days.  

 

 

Law Student Emergency Fund Application 

 

Eligibility Requirements 

To qualify for assistance, applicants must: 

  • Be currently enrolled in at least one law school course at the time of application
  • Have not received emergency funding within the same semester
  • Have not received emergency funding more than twice during law school career
  • Demonstrate that the emergency significantly impacts their academic progress or ability to remain enrolled
  • Ensure that the emergency was not caused by the student’s own actions (e.g., reckless spending, avoidable debt)
  • Have exhausted all other available resources (including financial aid, emergency loans, and external funding options), and 
  • Provide supporting documentation verifying financial need (e.g., bills, invoices, receipts, official notifications) 

Covered Expenses 

Examples include, but are not limited to: 

  • Food insecurity
  • Emergency medical expenses (not covered by insurance)
  • Essential technology for coursework (e.g., laptop replacement due to theft, internet access for remote learning)
  • Emergency travel (due to illness, bereavement, or urgent family matters)
  • Temporary housing (e.g., displacement due to an unforeseen situation)
  • Essential utilities (e.g., water, gas, electricity)
  • Essential car repair (to maintain reliable transportation for school)
  • Course materials (not otherwise covered) 

Expenses NOT Covered 

  • Tuition, fees, and student loans
  • Parking tickets and non-essential travel
  • Non-essential utilities (e.g., cable, streaming services)
  • Luxury items, non-essential electronics, or furniture
  • Recurring expenses not tied to an emergency 

Application Process 

Step 1: Online Submission 
  • Submit the Law Student Emergency Fund Application online
  • Part 1: Explain the nature of your financial emergency and demonstrate that the emergency significantly impacts your academic progress or ability to remain enrolled
  • Part 2: Detail all other resources (including financial aid, emergency loans, and external funding options) that you have already sought before applying 
  • Part 3: Upload the required documentation that demonstrates proof of financial need (such as bills, invoices, receipts, official notifications via PDF, mobile phone screenshots, or scanned images) 
Step 2: Review & Approval 
  • Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis beginning after the add/drop period each semester
  • The Fund Manager (a designated law school staff member) screens applications and will contact you if additional details are needed
  • The Emergency Fund Committee (comprised of a Law Student Affairs, Financial Aid, and faculty representative) will evaluate the request and vote on:
  • Approval or denial
  • Grant amount (up to $1,000 per semester) with the potential for an additional $500 for extenuating circumstances 
Step 3: Notification & Disbursement 
  • Students receive a written decision within 3–5 business days via university email
  • If approved, funds will be disbursed via Financial Aid and Bursar’s Office:
  • Direct deposit (preferred)
  • Check (if necessary; may take 14 days to be awarded)
  • Other account refunds might be combined with Emergency Fund disbursement, so please verify receipt of funding by reviewing the check or direct deposit details 

Appeals Process 

If an application is denied, the student may appeal within 10 business days by submitting a written request to the Dean of Students. Appeals will be considered under these circumstances: 

  • New evidence that was not available at the time of the original request
  • Procedural errors that affected the decision
  • Demonstrable error in application of policy 

Law Student Emergency Fund Application