How students can apply for a short term loan/grant when an unexpected life event or circumstance takes place that causes financial hardship.
Crisis loans/grants are also known as short term loans/grants and are generally under $500.
HOW TO APPLY
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1. Loan/ Grant requirements
Persons applying for short term loan/grant funds must be enrolled at the time of application.
If applying between semesters, you must have been enrolled during the previous term and be enrolled for the following term. If a student has an outstanding short term loan, they are not eligible for further loans until the previous loan is paid. In order to obtain a short term loan during the summer, you must be enrolled in summer classes.
Exceptions to this policy can be made on a case-by-case basis, and will be determined during your meeting with a Dean of Students Office staff member. Funds are available for all students, regardless of FAFSA eligibility. Crisis grant eligibility is based one your Estimated Family Contribution (EFC) on your FAFSA.
Crisis Grants are determined in conjunction with our colleagues in the Office of Student Financial Aid. Grants are issued for $500 once per calendar year.
2. Download, complete, and submit the loan/grant application
- Print and complete a copy of the application form.
- Submit the completed form to doso@studentaffairs.wisc.edu
3. Contact the Dean Of Students Office
- After submitting your application, call the Dean of Students Office at 608-263-5700 to make a 30-minutes phone appointment to meet with a staff member.
- Meet with a Dean of Students Office staff member via phone to discuss your application.
4. Sign the promissary note for short term loan
When the loan application is received, a promissory note will be emailed to the student. It must be signed and sent back in. The promissory note states the student’s intentions to pay the loan back.
The student will be responsible for emailing the signed document back to stuloans@bussvc.wisc.edu.
Receiving your money
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Processing time
It is estimated that loans/grants will be available within 1-3 days for a direct deposit. Paper checks may take longer and will require setting up an appointment with the Bursar’s office.
Receiving your loan/grant: Direct Deposit (preferred)
Dean of Students Staff will work with student to make sure direct deposit (also known as an ACH refund, or an e-refund) is set up in their student center.
It will take 1-3 business days from the day the refund is processed to receive the funds in the bank account. The overall process (approving application, signing prom note, processing eRefund, receiving eRefund) should take approximately 3 business days, but once we process the refund, the student will usually see it the next day.
Receiving your short term loan: Paper check
A paper check is still an option if direct deposit can’t be set up.
- Paper checks will only be processed once per week.
- Paper checks will require an appointment with the Bursar’s Office to pick up the check.
Due dates and interest
Due Dates
Crisis or short term loans should be paid back in
three months.
Students can apply for an extension if needed,
during the three months.
Interest
Crisis or short term loans are interest free,
if paid back within three months
If a loan becomes past due, a $10 per month late fee will be added to the loan.
COMMON USES FOR A SHORT TERM LOAN
Dollars for this fund are from generous gifts from private donors. Below are common uses for a short-term loan:
- Unexpected medical expenses
- Car repair
- Travel expenses for family emergency
- Replacement of items lost to theft/fire damage
Financial aid questions
Please utilize the Office of Student Financial Aid for financial questions during this time. The Office of Student Financial Aid has a team of people ready to help connect you to the financial and other resources you may need.
Students should submit a request through the Student Center or email finaid@finaid.wisc.edu and indicate “Covid-19” in the subject line
CONTACT INFORMATION
Students will receive responses in 24 hours and can request assistance in four ways:
- Emergency Request Form
- Email: finaid@finaid.wisc.edu
- Call (608) 262-3060 between 10am-2pm CST Monday-Friday
- Self Service Request through MyUW (financial aid applicants have this option in addition to the other choices)