Financial Challenges

The application requires the student to submit name, university ID number, and a short narrative describing the emergency funding needs. The requestor can upload information as appropriate and may be asked to submit additional documentation. All correspondence will occur using the student’s IU Columbus email address.

Confidential requests are reviewed on case-by-case basis by a team of highly trained financial aid administrators. Requests are referred to campus partners as appropriate. Note the application was recently modified for all groups of students to submit a request for financial crisis funding, including international students, DACA students, and graduate/professional students.

In the majority of requests reviewed, students are helped to determine if they are eligible for additional federal aid eligibility before they are considered for limited emergency aid funds. But for those that have exhausted federal and state aid eligibility and have unmet financial need, an emergency aid funding option is likely to be awarded.

Undergraduate students should receive an email response with aid options within 3-5 business days. Referrals to campus partners for international students, undocumented students, DACA students, or graduate/professional students may take a bit longer. Monitor your email regularly for updates or requests for additional information.

Students who have set up direct deposit refunds with the Bursar will receive funds in a matter of days after awards are made; if there is no direct deposit information on file, the Bursar mails refund checks on a weekly basis.

Eligibility is evaluated on a case-by-case basis. For students that have maximized federal and state aid eligibility, awarding practices include the Emergency Assistance Grant of up to $2,000 per year, the Jaguar Persistence Grant of up to $2,000 per year, or an IU Miller Loan of up to $4,000 per year for those close to graduation.