Dean of Student Life

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General Student Emergency Fund

The General Student Emergency Fund is now closed.

Applications will re-open Fall Term 2025 on Scholarship Universe. If you applied Spring Term, you will hear by email within 5-7 business days if you were approved.   To see other emergency funds and their eligibility requirements, visit the Emergency Funds webpage.  

The General Student Emergency Fund (GSEF) offers short-term financial assistance to Portland State University students during a sudden and unexpected emergency by providing financial support. These funds keep students in school, preventing students from withdrawing due to a short-term financial crisis. 

Please note: The General Student Emergency Fund may be accessed once an academic year. Awards may not exceed $1,000 and the award does not have to be repaid. Funding will be disbursed within two weeks of an application being approved. The GSEF unfortunately cannot be used for tuition, books, dorm expenses, or fees.

If you have not used Scholarship Universe before, please sign up here to create a new account.

Examples of Emergency Situations include:

  • Accidents
  • Replacement of essential belongings due to fire, flood, theft, or natural disaster
  • Emergency or temporary housing assistance
  • Medical expenses not covered by insurance
  • Assistance with food, rent, or utilities due to an emergency situation
  • Safety related needs
  • Emergency transportation costs 
  • Safety-related needs (e.g. changing locks, short term emergency shelter)
  • Other emergencies impacting a student's ability to fully participate in their PSU academic career

Eligibility Criteria

  • Enrolled at PSU at least half time
  • In good academic standing 
  • Experiencing an unexpected financial hardship resulting from an emergency or crisis situation
  • Able to provide documentation of their financial hardship, if needed (e.g., billing statements, receipts, repair estimates)
  • Using up all other possible financial aid and financial resources before applying (e.g., department funds, student loans, Medicaid, personal financial accounts, community resources)
  • Have not previously accessed the fund in the 2024-2025 Academic Year

Please note: applications will be reviewed and prioritized in the order in which they are received. Submitting an application is not a guarantee for an award.

If you are experiencing financial difficulties, Basic Needs Hub staff maintain a broad knowledge of emergency aid resources across the PSU campus and greater Portland metro area. For more information on these resources, please send an email to basicneedshub@pdx.edu.