If you are facing a financial hardship due to an unforeseen situation, we are here to help.

Student Financial Aid offers a one-time emergency aid application to students who cannot meet immediate, essential expenses due to temporary hardship arising from an unforeseen, unusual, or emergency situation. we are committed to supporting student success in school despite unanticipated hardship.

Student emergency funding is limited, and award amounts typically do not exceed $250. Generally, students are not eligible for this fund more than once. Not every student will qualify for and/or receive enough funds to cover all requested expenses. In these cases, Mizzou Student Financial Aid will work with students to identify other available resources and/or alternative solutions to help meet their needs.

Expenses Generally Covered*

Situations that warrant the use of emergency funding from the university may include:

• Food insecurity
• Rent (normally one month) and/or utility bills due to lost wages or other unexpected financial hardship
• Travel expenses to return home due to a family death or other emergency
• Emergency medical treatment/medication when the student has no ability to pay, and the costs cannot be covered by insurance
• Personal belongings lost in a fire, flood, or other disaster impacting a student’s home

*Supporting documentation may be required to demonstrate need.

Expenses Generally Not Covered

Emergency funds generally do not cover:

• Expenses due to lack of financial budgeting and planning
• Outstanding balance due to Mizzou
• Tuition and other university fees
• Legal fees and court costs

Criteria to Apply

1. Undergraduate students pursuing their first bachelor’s degree
2. Students must be enrolled in a minimum of six hours of credit at Mizzou

Exceptions are handled on a case-by-case basis.

What Happens After I Apply?

Your eligibility will be determined after review of your current financial aid account and the financial aid programs you have received. Your account will be reviewed based upon your unmet need as calculated by Student Financial Aid, and if you have utilized all your financial aid options that are available to you.

For example, if you have not used your Federal Direct Student loans then you may not be eligible for emergency funds. We will also review your account history to see if you have received student emergency funds in the current and previous years. Students who have received the fund in the past may not be eligible for it again.

Student emergency funding may impact previously awarded financial aid. Students that already have a combination of financial aid programs up to their Cost of Attendance (COA) may have to provide additional documentation upon request to receive emergency funding.

Receipt of student emergency funding may require you to meet with the Office for Financial Success for financial management help.

How to Apply

Complete the Student Emergency Aid application at the link below.

Financial Management Help

If you expect to receive these funds and would like to discuss effective use of the money, we encourage you to make an appointment with the Office for Financial Success (OFS). OFS offers free and confidential financial coaching. Make an appointment using MU Connect or walk in.