The Pharmacy Student Success Emergency Fund (SSEF) was created to assist VCU School of Pharmacy students (i.e. pharmacy and graduate students) who encounter an unforeseen financial emergency that would otherwise prevent them from continuing their education here at VCU.

More specifically, this emergency fund provides our students with financial support when faced with an unexpected, unforeseen, and unavoidable emergency expense that may be related to an accident, illness, death of a family member, fire damage, or need for temporary housing. We acknowledge that students are often faced with life altering circumstances that have the potential to derail successful academic progression. Our goal is to ensure our students have access to emergency resources during times of need - enabling them to stay in school and make progress towards their doctoral or master’s degree.

Currently enrolled pharmacy and graduate students may apply for funds when they have exhausted all other resources (credit card, payment plans, additional student aid, assistance from family/friends, other personal resources). This funding is not intended to reimburse expenses that have already been paid, or to replace or supplement existing financial aid.  Payments from this fund are generally limited, and may not cover a student’s entire financial need.

Emergency Fund Utilization:
   • Medications and other costs related to emergency medical care
   • Books and other essential academic expenses
   • Safety needs (i.e. changing a lock)
   • Replacement of essential personal belongings or temporary housing needs, due to fire, theft, or natural disaster
   • Travel costs related to a death or illness in the immediate family
*This is not an exhaustive list and other circumstances may apply

Expenses Not Covered:
   • Tuition, fees, health insurance, and study abroad costs
   • Non-essential utilities (i.e. cable), household, or furniture costs not related to damage or theft.
   • Regularly anticipated fixed expenses (i.e. rent)
   • Parking tickets
   • Costs for entertainment, recreation, non-emergency travel or other non-essential expenses.
   • Other anticipated expenses

Eligibility Requirements:
   • Applicants must have an immediate financial hardship resulting from an emergency, accident, or other unexpected critical incident
   • The expense must be unexpected, unforeseen, and the urgent nature unavoidable
   • Applicants must be currently enrolled students
   • All other university-related resources, including emergency loans through Scholarships and Student Aid must have been considered and are insufficient, unavailable, or not available in a timely manner
   • Applicants must complete all questions in full and submit supporting documentation
   • Be able to demonstrate his/her current financial need with supporting documentation

Application Process:
Students who need emergency financial assistance may submit an application and supporting documentation to the Office of Admissions & Student Services (OASS). Documentation can be sent via email to the Office of Admissions & Student Services (OASS) at kcunegbuogo@vcu.edu or placed in the forms slot located in the Welcome Desk as you exit the elevators on the 5th Floor of the Smith Building. The Emergency Fund Committee, made up of faculty and staff members, review the submitted application materials and determine the appropriate funding amount.  

Funds distributed do not generally exceed $500. The committee will review applications requesting in excess of $500 for unique and unusual circumstances of emergency financial need. Applicants may be required to meet with the Associate Dean for Admissions and Students Services or the Assistant Director for Student Affairs to discuss their application. If you are currently receiving financial aid, please be aware that receiving funding from the Emergency Fund may affect your future aid packages and funds received will be taxed as income.  For information on the application please contact our office at (804) 828-3000.

Award Procedures:
   • Students will be presented with a check in the award amount designated by the Emergency Fund Committee.  A photocopy of the check will be signed and dated by the student, and retained by OASS as proof of receipt.  
   • Students must provide receipts and/or documentation reflecting payment towards identified emergency or return awarded funding no later than 10 days after funds have been dispersed.
   • While students do not need to repay this financial assistance, it may be considered as taxable income and subject to federal tax regulations.