Dean's Emergency Fund
Developed in consultation with the Graduate Student Assembly, the Dean’s Emergency Fund enables terminal Master’s and PhD students in the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences to continue making academic progress despite unanticipated, extreme financial hardships that cannot be resolved through fellowships, loans, or personal resources. The maximum award for eligible requests is $2,000.
Eligibility
Terminal Master’s and PhD students registered full-time in one of the degree programs of the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences are eligible to apply for emergency funding.
The fund does not cover recurring expenses. The following are examples of eligible and ineligible expenses:
| Eligible for Emergency Funding | Ineligible for Emergency Funding |
|---|---|
| Dental emergency procedures (up to 50% of out-of-pocket cost) | Routine dental cleaning and care; orthodontic and/or aesthetic care |
| Temporary housing for displacement due to fire, flood, or catastrophic damage to residence | New Haven area rent and/or utilities costs |
| Travel costs related to an unexpected crisis or death in the immediate family | Travel costs for home visits or other personal travel (including visa fees) |
| Mandatory relocation due to harassment or Title IX issue | Moving expenses for non-mandated moves |
| Assistance with change of locks and loss due to theft | Replacement of technology (e.g., damaged or nonfunctioning laptops) and research support |
| Certain out-of-pocket medical expenses due to an unanticipated health issue (Note: students must first work with Yale Health to determine coverage through their student health plan) | Recurring expenses, including medical costs not covered by Yale Health and spousal insurance coverage |
| Costs related to emergency expenses incurred by the applicant or applicant's children | Childcare expenses; costs incurred by a third party who is not a direct dependent |
| Assistance with insurance deductible cost in the event of a vehicle accident or theft | Routine vehicle maintenance and/or repairs not related to accident or theft |
| Veterinary expenses | |
| Reimbursement of union dues |
Additional support resources on campus are listed at the bottom of this page.
Application information
Please use the application link below to submit an emergency fund request. Applicants are asked to provide a brief description of the emergency situation, an itemized budget of the funding requested, and PDF copies of receipts or estimates for anticipated or incurred emergency expenses.
Review process
Applications are reviewed on a first-come, first-served basis. The review process typically takes between 3-5 business days from application submission. Once completed, the applicant will be notified of the emergency fund committee's decision by email. If approved, funds will then be disbursed in the next available pay period.
Repayment
Emergency fund awards do not require repayment. However, to replenish the fund and ensure that future students can receive the same benefit, we encourage awardees to consider donating to the fund in the future if their finances allow.
Local 33 contractual funds
As of October 2024, Graduate Workers are eligible to apply to Local 33 for financial assistance with expenses in the following categories:
- Family and dependent assistance fund: for Graduate Workers who are not eligible for the PhD student Family Subsidy;
- Technology fund: for Graduate Workers who need assistance with funds to purchase or repair a laptop or other technology for use in their bargaining unit work;
- International fund: for Graduate Workers who have out-of-pocket legal expenses related to visa and immigration proceedings, and any related matters;
- Health care fund: for Graduate Workers with out-of-pocket medical and dental care expenses.
More information about these funds can be found in Article 35 of the Local 33 contract. Questions about these funds, including questions about eligibility and the application process, should be sent directly to Local 33.
Contact us
If you have questions about the Dean's Emergency Fund, please contact:
Additional Resources
Yale Health
https://yalehealth.yale.edu/student-coverage
Yale Health is the comprehensive, on-campus, full-service health center and health care plan for students and their family members. For information about your particular coverage, you should contact Member Services.
Featured Resource
Yale Mental Health and Counseling
https://yalehealth.yale.edu/directory/departments/mental-health-counseling
Yale Mental Health and Counseling provides a full range of free mental health services to Yale Students. To access individual therapy, medication management, and/or group therapy, students should call Yale Mental Health and Counseling at 203-432-0290 and schedule an intake appointment. Students in urgent need can call 24/7 to speak with an on-call clinician.
Featured Resource
GSAS Embedded Mental Health Services
GSAS students have access to a variety of free mental health services and programming through the GSAS Embedded Mental Health program.
Student Accessibility Services (SAS)
https://sas.yale.edu/students
Student Accessibility Services (SAS) works with Yale students with acute or ongoing disabilities to provide appropriate accommodations, auxiliary aids, and services through an interactive process. The Graduate School's liaison in SAS is Jordan Colbert.
SHARE Center
https://sharecenter.yale.edu/
SHARE provides crisis support, advocacy, and referral to on-going care for all members of the Yale community dealing with sexual misconduct of any kind, including sexual assault, sexual harassment, stalking, intimate partner violence, and more. SHARE also offers on-going counseling for students (undergraduate, graduate, and professional) focused on processing issues related to sexual misconduct.
Title IX Office
https://titleix.yale.edu/
The Title IX Office is an important part of Yale’s efforts to foster an environment of respect and belonging, consulting with members of the Yale community about their concerns and questions related to sex- and gender-based discrimination. This includes sexual misconduct, as well as discrimination or harassment on the basis of sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, non-conformance with gender stereotypes, and parenting or pregnancy status.
Discrimination & Harassment Resources
https://dhr.yale.edu/
Acts of discrimination and harassment are contrary to the community standards and ideals of our university. If you have experienced discrimination or harassment, been witness to a situation, or just need to talk, we encourage you to seek support. The resources, offices, and individuals highlighted on this site are available to provide guidance and to help you through informal or formal complaint procedures.
Chaplain's Office
https://chaplain.yale.edu/
The Chaplain’s Office at Yale supports students from all faith traditions as well as students who don’t identify with any specific tradition. In addition to building community, the Chaplain's office is available to provide pastoral care and grief resources to students.
Office of LGBTQ Resources
https://lgbtq.yale.edu/
The Yale University Office of LGBTQ Resources is a community center that partners to maintain a coalition of LGBTQ organizations across campus and in the community. Our mission is to support and empower students, faculty, staff, and alumni of all sexual orientations, gender identities, and expressions to strengthen and unite our Yale University community.