#UMassGives 2019

Graduate Student Emergency Aid Fund

Graduate students are vital members of the UMass community. They routinely win prestigious awards that elevate the university’s reputation, teach some of the most popular courses on campus, and participate in a variety of outreach projects across Massachusetts. After completing their degrees, graduate alumni continue to positively impact the university by ascending to leadership positions in every area of society.

When unpredictable financial emergencies strike, however, the academic and professional progress of graduate students may be undermined. Unexpected medical bills, major car repairs, a sudden loss of income, or other hardships can plunge students into debt and force them to suspend their studies.

Although the university community cannot prevent these situations from occurring, we can help minimize their impact on graduate students. Toward this end, the Graduate School has established the Graduate Student Emergency Aid Fund (GSEAF), which provides students with monetary assistance at the discretion of the Graduate Dean.  Because GSEAF funding takes the form of grants rather than loans, students who receive assistance through this program do not accrue any debt and are not locked into an onerous repayment schedule. This approach maximizes the beneficial effect of GSEAF assistance for recipients.

Applying for and receiving emergency funding from GSEAF is simple. When a financial crisis arises, students meet with a Graduate School representative to explore a range of resources, including a GSEAF grant. While not all funding requests can be met, we seek to provide aid to as many students as possible. 

With your support, the Graduate Student Emergency Aid Fund will more effectively assist students in need and ensure their continued academic progress. Please help us give back to a financially vulnerable population that does so much to advance the university’s educational and research mission. Donate to the Graduate Student Emergency Aid Fund today!