Graduate students contribute enormously to the UMass Amherst intellectual community. They spend long hours in the laboratory, library, and field using their outstanding analytical and creative talents to pursue cutting-edge research that benefits society and elevates the university’s reputation. They are also dedicated teachers who lead some of the university’s most popular courses and selflessly give their personal time to serve as mentors and advisors to their students. And after they complete their degrees, graduate alumni continue to enhance the university’s image by ascending to leadership positions in every area of society.
Even as they excel in their research and teaching, however, graduate students often lead a precarious financial existence. Although graduate students are commonly supported by fellowships, teaching and research assistantships, or external employment, these positions generally provide only enough income to pay for ordinary living expenses.
But emergencies that may plunge students into debt, cause them emotional anguish, and force them to suspend their studies are sometimes inevitable. Students occasionally endure unforeseen hardships resulting from unexpected medical bills, a sudden loss of income due to factors unrelated to their performance, or a family illness requiring out-of-town travel.
While the university community cannot prevent these situations and others like them from arising, we can help minimize their impact on our graduate students. To accomplish this goal, the Graduate School has established a Graduate Student Emergency Aid Fund.
This fund will provide students with monetary assistance when their academic progress and general well-being are undermined by financial circumstances beyond their control. Contributions to the Graduate Student Emergency Aid Fund will offer direct financial assistance to graduate students in distress and allow them to continue focusing on their academic work. Equally important, donations to this initiative will also confirm the university’s identity as a caring community to a financially vulnerable population that gives so much to UMass Amherst. Please donate today!
