ESHI Student Basic Needs Assistance Fund
Overview
Please note applications will not be reviewed during observed University holidays including Winter break which runs from December 24, 2025 to Monday, January 5, 2026.
This is a time-limited grant for the academic year 2025-2026.
The End Student Housing Insecurity (ESHI) Student Basic Needs Assistance Fund provides temporary, short-term financial assistance to students currently enrolled in at least 6 credit hours in a degree-seeking program (Bachelors or Masters) at NEIU who are experiencing housing insecurity or difficulty meeting essential basic needs expenses (such as rent, utility bills, transportation etc.) due to a temporary or unexpected hardship. This one-time grant is designed to offer support to help students maintain stability and continue their academic progress.
Awards are issued one-time and available through June 3, 2026, or until funds are exhausted (whichever occurs first). Applications are reviewed and awards are granted on a case-by-case basis.
Please note that tuition and fees are not eligible expenses, and funding is not intended to cover full expenses or provide ongoing relief for recurring expenses.
Application Process
Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis, and decisions are typically communicated within 5–7 business days. Award amounts are based on demonstrated financial need and available funds, which may result in an amount lower than the amount requested.
Funds are disbursed to a third party/vendor (i.e. landlord, utility company, mechanic, bodyshop), and allocated on a first-come, first-served basis. Applicants may be asked to meet with Student Affairs to discuss their application and connect with additional resources.
Distribution of Funds
The grant does not allow for funds to be given directly to the student, no exceptions. Funds are issued to the third-party/vendor, which requires the vendor (e.g., the landlord, utility company, mechanic, bodyshop etc.) to complete a W-9 form. Only the first page is required for your application.
The application includes a section to upload the vendor’s signed W-9 form (e.g., the landlord, utility company, mechanic, bodyshop, etc.). The application will not let you submit unless this document is uploaded in a PDF format and with legible writing and signatures.
W-9 forms for ComEd or People’s Gas are examples where the form is not needed.
To ensure funds are used for their intended purpose, students may be asked to provide proof of payment after the award is distributed.
Supporting documentation is required with your name, as it will help describe the specifics of your current situation and support your request. Screenshots are not accepted.
For information or questions please contact Student Affairs at (773) 442-4600 or student-affairs@neiu.edu.
Eligibility Requirements
To qualify for assistance, students must meet the following criteria:
- Be currently enrolled at NEIU in the semester applying for this fund
- Be a degree-seeking student (working towards a Bachelors or Masters)
- Be enrolled at least half-time (6 credit hours or more)
- Demonstrate barriers to accessing basic student needs, as defined below:
- Basic Needs Definition:
Basic needs are the essential resources students require to maintain their well-being and stay focused in school. This can include stable housing, reliable transportation, and help covering some medical costs—such as visits to the doctor’s office, dentist, or other non-hospital health expenses. These needs make it possible for students to stay healthy, safe, and persist to degree completion.
- Basic Needs Definition:
Housing Assistance
If requesting assistance with housing, students must demonstrate an inability to maintain a fixed, regular, and adequate nighttime residence as defined by the McKinney-Vento Act.
- Student residence hall (The Nest) expenses will be considered only for students who meet the McKinney-Vento definition of homelessness and/or Youth in Care.
Justifications for Denial
An application may be denied or returned for update for the following reasons:
- Incomplete application
- Not enrolled at least half-time in a degree-seeking program at NEIU (at least 6 credit hours)
- Requested assistance for an ineligible expense (i.e. tuition and mandatory general fees, credit card payments).
- No barriers to accessing basic student needs identified.
Covered Expenses
Rent
- Off-campus rent
- Partial Nest Residence Hall costs only if meet the definition of homelessness per the McKinney Vento Act
Utilities
- Gas
- Electric
- Utilities being disconnected
Transportation
- Limited aid for car repairs is available only when the vehicle is necessary for employment or commuting to school. Bus passes for transportation where U-Pass does not apply.
Deaths
- Expenses related to the death of an immediate family member (spouse, parent, child, legal guardian, sibling, mother-in-law, father-in-law, etc.).
Health
- Physical health and well being; assistance for recent medical emergencies non-hospital health expenses. Prescriptions, glasses, dental procedure costs, etc.
Childcare
- Childcare costs related to fees, deposits, registration etc, short-term costs
Other
- Basic needs expenses, as defined above, with a detailed explanation and supporting documentation.
Non-Eligible Expenses
The following are not covered:
- Paid bills (this fund can not reimburse paid expenses)
- Food
- Clothing
- Tuition, university fees, or credit card balances.
- Mortgage
- Car notes, leases, down payments, insurance premiums, taxes, or routine maintenance and repair costs.
- Expenses resulting from overspending or lack of financial planning
- Study abroad expenses
- Pet insurance
- Other items as determined by the review committee
Privacy
All applications and associated information are confidential. Information will only be shared with NEIU staff directly involved in the decision-making process.
NEIU students seeking financial support must complete a one-time assistance application.
Basic Needs Assistance Fund Checklist
Please use this chart before applying to make sure you have the necessary documents to submit a complete application.
| Eligible Expense | Required Documentation | W-9 Needed? |
|---|---|---|
| Rent /Housing | Lease, rental agreement, or housing invoice with name, address, and amount owed Documents must be in PDF format, no screenshots. |
Yes — landlord/property manager |
| On Campus Housing for McKinney-Vento Eligible Students |
McKinney-Vento Verification Letter/documentation from shelter or housing program. A letter from a school district, liaison, case manager, social worker, or homeless services, coordinator confirming McKinney-Vento status. May also include paperwork from NEIU Financial Aid (Dependency Override) |
No |
| On Campus Housing for Youth In Care |
If the student also qualifies as Youth in Care:
|
No |
| Utilities (ComEd, People’s Gas) |
Full PDF bill statement (name, address, account #, charges) | No |
| Other Utilities (e.g., water) |
Full PDF bill statement (name, address, account #, charges) | Yes — from utility provider if not ComEd/People’s Gas |
| Health & Wellness / Prescriptions |
Invoice, billing statement, pharmacy printout, or cost estimate (must include name and amount) | No |
| Childcare | Official childcare invoice or statement listing amount owed | Yes — from childcare provider |
| Death-Related Expenses | Invoice or bill from funeral home or service provider | Yes — from provider |
| Car Repairs | Estimate or invoice from auto shop (shop name, costs, service description) | Yes — from auto shop |
| Transportation (PACE/Metra) | Invoice, or cost estimate | No |
| Other Critical Basic Needs | Detailed documentation showing nature of need and exact amount | Yes — if a vendor payment is required |
Frequently Asked Questions
The End Student Housing Insecurity (ESHI) Student Basic Needs Assistance Fund is a temporary relief fund provided through a grant from the Illinois Board of Higher Education for the 2025-2026 academic year. This fund aims to support students who are experiencing housing insecurity and other essential needs.
To qualify for assistance, students must meet the following criteria:
- Be currently enrolled at NEIU in the semester applying for this fund
- Be a degree-seeking student (working towards a Bachelors or Masters)
- Be enrolled at least half-time (6 credit hours or more)
- Demonstrate barriers to accessing basic student needs, as defined below
- Basic Needs Definition:
Basic needs are the essential resources students require to maintain their well-being and stay focused in school. This can include stable housing, reliable transportation, and help covering some medical costs—such as visits to the doctor’s office, dentist, or other non-hospital health expenses. These needs make it possible for students to stay healthy, safe, and persist to degree completion.
- Basic Needs Definition:
Students must complete the one-time assistance application through the following form:
A Form W-9 is an IRS form used to confirm a U.S. person's name, address, and Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN) to a payer. This information allows the payer (a business or financial institution) to accurately report various types of income paid to that individual or entity to the IRS at the end of the year.
A form W-9 is needed in order to process payments towards the third party (e.g., the landlord, utility company, mechanic, body shop, etc.).
You would need to upload the first page of the form, make sure it is completely filled out, signed and dated by the third party.
Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis, and decisions are typically communicated within 5–7 business days.
No, this is a one-time assistance fund.
For questions or assistance, contact Vice President of Student Affairs:
- (773) 442-4600
- saffairs@neiu.edu Please include "Basic Needs Assistance Fund" in the subject line of your email.
- Payments are not made directly to students.
- NEIU will issue payments to third-party vendors (e.g., the landlord, utility company, mechanic, bodyshop, etc.)
- A complete a W-9 form (e.g., the landlord, mechanic, bodyshop, etc.) is required
- W-9 forms for ComEd or People’s Gas are examples where the form is not needed.
- Students may need to provide proof that the funds were used for their intended purpose.
Applications may be denied for:
- Incomplete information.
- Not being enrolled at least half-time (at least 6 credit hours) in a degree-seeking program.
- Requesting funds for ineligible expenses.
- Insufficient evidence of financial need.
Yes. All application materials are handled confidentially and only shared with NEIU staff involved in the decision-making process.