Welcome to Penn’s Emergency and Opportunity Funding application for undergraduate and sub-matriculated students.
ABOUT UNDERGRADUATE EMERGENCY AND OPPORTUNITY FUNDING:
Unexpected financial circumstances can cause undergraduate, graduate, and professional students stress and impact their ability to achieve and thrive. Penn’s Division of the Vice Provost for University Life (VPUL), Office of Student Financial Services (SFS), Penn First Plus (P1P), Student Intervention Services (SIS), and Alumni Relations work collaboratively to address pressing needs and, when appropriate, adjust the student’s cost of attendance to fund a relevant opportunity or remedy an urgent situation.
ELIGIBILITY:
Emergency and Opportunity Funding is potentially available to a diverse population of students, including but not limited to those who are the first in their family to attend college, those who are highly aided, or those who receive some financial aid. International and domestic undergraduates – including those who are partially or fully funded --are potentially eligible for assistance. Each application will be reviewed by Student Financial Services, Penn First Plus, and Student Intervention Services to determine eligibility for this limited assistance.
SCOPE OF AWARDS:
Emergency or Opportunity Grants can range from $100 to $1,000 and can be used for demonstrated needs such as: academic technology/course materials; winter or professional clothing; medical expenses; academic advancement (such as graduate school exam fees); or personal/family emergencies.
Emergency and Opportunity Funding is not suited to address significant financial deficits; pay for ongoing living expenses such as rent or utilities during summers or when the University is operating with remote instruction; cover University tuition and fees; or fund pleasure travel. Some applicants may be advised to seek alternative financial relief, such as borrowing a federal or private loan, applying for an external scholarship, or using a University-generated refund to meet the stated need.
APPLICATION PROCESS:
Students must complete an application for consideration and agree to meet with Student Intervention Services staff to discuss their stated need. Staff strive to conduct these brief meetings within a week of the application submission. During this review process, students may be advised to consult with their financial aid advisor to discuss things such as changes in family finances and budgeting. Student are asked to submit any supporting documentation for a request for funding to: vpul-sisteam@pobox.upenn.edu. When submitting an application for assistance with medical expenses, please submit any supporting documentation to the Student Registration & Financial Services website: https://srfs.upenn.edu/DocumentSubmit.
SOURCES OF AWARDS:
Students awarded an Emergency or Opportunity Grant can be funded from several sources, including the VPUL Access and Retention Fund; the Fund for Penn First Plus; the Association of Latino Alumni; the James Brister Society; the Trustees Council for Penn Women; or other donors.