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Student Emergency Fund

Student Emergency Fund

The current pandemic has caused a great deal of upheaval for many Nipissing University students and for some, significant financial hardship. 

The success of our students is our top priority.  In response, Nipissing has established a new Student Emergency Fund to provide urgent financial assistance to students unable to cover immediate, essential expenses as a result of the crisis. 

The Student Emergency Fund will assist students with a variety of expenses spanning everything from food, housing and utilities to transportation, clothing and medical expenses. The fund will continue to be a resource for students in need beyond the lifetime of the pandemic. 

The fund has been established and made possible through the generosity of Nipissing alumni, donors and supporters. We are encouraging those that are able to donate, to do so by clicking the link below. 

Students seeking relief through the Student Emergency Fund should fill out an online application below. A joint committee of staff from Student Development and Services and Financial Aid will review the student applications to determine the extent of financial need and funding will be allocated accordingly. Applications will be accepted on an ongoing basis.

Eligible Costs

The following expenses may be eligible to be covered by the Student Emergency Fund (this list is not presumed to be complete):

COVID-19 Specific Supports for Students:

  • Food purchases and other costs for financially disadvantaged students;
  • Addressing housing challenges for students who are self-isolating to protect their loved ones in remote, rural and Indigenous communities, or who are stranded far from home and loved ones due to border closures;        
  • Securing an internet connection at home for those who may have just been using the internet on campus previously;           
  • Income loss;   
  • Other financial hardships that may have presented themselves due to the impact of COVID-19
  • Exceptional life circumstances (e.g., illness in family, fire, flooding)

Other Supports:

  • Rent; housing; or mortgage payments
  • Utilities
  • Textbooks
  • Food
  • Transportation
  • Basic telephone
  • Essential clothing
  • Drug prescriptions
  • Emergency dentistry
  • Eye wear

Costs Not Covered

Under most circumstances, the following costs are not covered:

  • Vehicle insurance, vehicle payments, vehicle lease payments, vehicle license plates (for students who do not have to commute to study)
  • Car repairs
  • Cable television
  • Credit card debts
  • Exceptional long distance charges
  • Internet connection fees

Tuition fees and University-related fees are not covered by the Student Emergency Fund. Students whose tuition fees are in arrears should contact the Student Financial Services Office directly to make arrangements for repayment.  Students are also encouraged to seek alternate government assistance funding where opportunities exist.

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» Click here to donate to another fund or for staff/faculty payroll giving.

The support I received through this initiative, allowed me to eat three meals a day again. After the lockdown, I had no job and as an international student, I don't have any close relative in North Bay. I had a little money left but that wasn't going to last long. So without this help, the plan was eating one meal a day and if I'm lucky to have leftovers, then two. I'm really grateful for this help for it relieved me of the pressure of overwhelming questions of how I'm going to live and eat without a job for the next month. Thank you! 

Student Emergency Fund Recipient

Due to circumstances of COVID-19, I have lost my second job, and with only one income, I am having to support my spouse, and my 3 young boys; ages 11, 5 and 19 months. Without this added financial support, only Lord knows what would have happened over the coming weeks. It has been a financial struggle since this pandemic came to light, and it is with your kindness that as a student who is financially supporting her family, we are able to stay afloat. Words cannot express the gratitude that I have, as well as my family. Thank you so much!

Student Emergency Fund Recipient

I am unable to go back up North to Moose Factory to stay with my parents, due to the ONR Polar Bear Express train service being shut down.  The support that I’ve received through the Student Emergency Fund has allowed me to pay my rent and to buy food for this month, for which I am incredibly grateful. I cannot thank you enough for relieving this financial pressure. 

Student Emergency Fund Recipient
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