Students are shown in blurred motion as they move through a hall.

Important Announcement updated March 2025

The Student Emergency Fund has been temporarily revamped.

Students are now encouraged to apply for the Student Basic Needs Assistance Fund.

This fund is intended to provide temporary relief to support students in addressing housing insecurity and essential expenses such as rent, utility bills, off-campus housing/shelter and other critical basic needs.

For more information and eligibility, please visit: Student Basic Needs Assistance Fund

Supporting Our Golden Eagles

Northeastern Illinois University is grateful to the many of you who have asked how you can help students. Northeastern has designated the Student Emergency Fund for this effort. Click the link below to support students who are experiencing unexpected financial hardships.

Make a Gift to the Student Emergency Fund

Overview

The Student Emergency Fund provides limited emergency financial support to currently enrolled students who are unable to meet essential expenses due to a temporary or unexpected hardship. 

The Student Emergency Fund was created by Daniel López Jr., Vice President for Student Affairs, and Wamucii Njogu, former Interim Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs, with the support of students, faculty, staff, alumni and friends of NEIU.

Application Process

Students who are in need of emergency assistance must complete the following online Emergency Fund Application and provide relevant supporting documentation.

The Student Emergency Fund Committee (SEFC), composed of the Vice President and Dean of Students for Student Affairs Staff, faculty and staff representatives, will review the submitted application and determine the appropriate funding amount. The SEFC reviews the application with a holistic approach and members can follow up with additional resources, both internal and external, to support the applicant.  

Decisions regarding disbursement of funds are made on a case-by-case basis and amounts will be based on eligibility, documentation of need, and availability of funds. Awards are not considered loans and do not require repayment. The maximum amount awarded is $650 by academic year, applications submitted after this amount is met will not be considered. Due to limited funds, first-time applicants are prioritized and returning applicants are considered based on availability of funds. If your application is denied, you will receive an email communication with information about external resources.  

Applicants may be asked to meet with a staff member in 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 or questions on the application please contact Student Affairs at (773) 442-4600 or student-affairs@neiu.edu.

 

Eligibility Requirements

  • Current NEIU students regardless of immigration status, who are enrolled at NEIU and attending the semester in which the funds are being requested.
  • Students must be degree-seeking, in good academic standing with a minimum GPA of 2.0 or show evidence of recent satisfactory progress.
  • Students must have exhausted all other possible financial resources (such as student loans, scholarships and other community resources) before applying for Student Emergency funds.
  • Students must be able to provide sufficient documentation of financial need.

EMERGENCY EXAMPLES

(This list is not exhaustive):

  • Issues related to homelessness, housing insecurity or living in an unsafe situation. Please provide details of your situation and a staff member from the Vice President/Dean of Students for Student Affairs will follow up with you. If you have immediate need, please contact (773)442-4600 of saffairs@neiu.edu
  • Emergency medical treatment/medication when students do not have the ability to pay and the costs cannot be covered by insurance or there is no insurance
  • Temporary food insecurity.
  • Books and other essential academic expenses.
  • Safety-related needs (i.e. changing a lock).
  • Replacement of essential personal belongings due to fire, theft or natural disaster.
  • Expenses related to a death or illness in the immediate family.
  • Other as determined by the Emergency Fund Committee.

EXPENSES NOT COVERED

(This list is not exhaustive):

  • Tuition, fees, health insurance and study abroad costs.
  • Expenses due to a lack of financial planning or overspending.
  • Outstanding debt to the University or other entities (credit cards, past due fees, student loans, private loans, etc.).
  • Legal fees.
  • Medical bills for any person other than the student applying
  • Housing expenses (i.e. Nest student housing balance, rent, mortgage, security deposit/moving fees)
  • Non-essential utilities (i.e. cable), household, or furniture costs not related to damage or theft.
  • Parking tickets.
  • Costs for entertainment, recreation, non-emergency travel or other non-essential expenses.
  • Non-educational technology such as gaming consoles or accessories.
  • Other as determined by the Emergency Fund Committee.

Chromebook Loan

In order to request a Chromebook loan, please complete the emergency fund application and select “Technology (Chromebook equipment)” under question 1 “What type of basic needs assistance are you seeking?”
 
Chromebook availability is limited and will be loaned on a first-come first serve basis. Students need to return the Chromebook at the end of the semester for which it was loaned. Unfortunately there are currently no Windows/Mac computers available for students needing to use programs such as SPSS or any image/video editing software. Students who do not return the borrowed Chromebook are subject to a replacement fee for the value of the Chromebook.