Emergency Assistance Programs

Student Emergency Assistance Program 

The student emergency assistance program provides a short-term solution for students who are in need of an immediate meal, housing, and other basic needs.  If you or someone you know is experiencing food/housing/financial insecurity, please contact the Office of the Dean of Students. *Please note that in applying for assistance, the Student Care and Support staff may inquire about a student’s financial aid, meal plan, and/or other mechanisms of support to ensure that the student is able to fulfill ongoing needs.  

Student Emergency Fund 

The Student Emergency Fund provides financial support to currently enrolled BGSU students (undergraduate, graduate, and international) who experience an accident, illness, financial hardship, or other emergency situation that may jeopardize their ability to continue their education. Please note that an emergency is considered to be a short-term, unexpected, and immediate need. 

The Student Emergency Fund will close on December 5, 2025 (last day of fall semester classes). Additionally, if you are applying for funding in the last two weeks of the current semester, you must not be graduating and need to be enrolled in courses for the following semester as well. (I.e. if it is spring semester, you must be enrolled in classes for the spring semester). If you are experiencing an extenuating circumstance during finals week, please reach out to the Office of the Dean of Students directly to connect about possible additional support options: odos@bgsu.edu.  

The information requested will help determine your eligibility for funding, and you may be asked for additional documentation. To help expedite the process, please attach a signed PDF copy of your entire lease agreement as a supporting document if you are asking for assistance paying for rent, an eviction notice if one has been served, a copy of your utilities bill, and any other important documents that show proof of your financial needs. Additionally, if requesting funding for textbooks, textbook codes, or other required class supplies, please attach a copy of your syllabus verifying those expenses. Also, if unexpected medical concerns have caused your emergency, please attach copies of your bills with your name and balance shown. If you do not submit supporting documentation your request may be automatically denied.

Eligible requests include:

  • Housing expenses (e.g., rent, deposit, mortgage)  
  • Essential utility expenses (e.g., heat, gas, water, and electricity)   
  • Groceries  
  • Textbooks or e-book codes for BGSU classes  
  • Required class supplies as outlined in a course syllabus  
  • Car expenses that directly impact a student’s ability to get to campus or BGSU required educational activities (e.g. student teaching placement)  
  • On-campus housing fees during break periods that would be an additional fee beyond the student’s current housing contract 

Expenses NOT covered include but are not limited to:  

  • Tuition, BGSU fees (e.g., on-campus housing), health insurance, and study abroad costs  
  • Non-essential utilities (e.g., cable) as well as household (e.g., laptop) or furniture costs not related to damage or theft  
  • Medical expenses  
  • Parking tickets and other fines  
  • Costs for entertainment, recreation, non-emergency travel or other non-essential expense  
  • Expenses that could be anticipated and other non-emergency related expenses  
  • Student organization fees and expenses 

To be eligible for the Student Emergency Fund, students must:  

  • Be currently enrolled in classes during the semester of application; and  
  • Demonstrate academic potential; and  
  • Experience an emergency that jeopardizes their continuation as students.

Requests are reviewed once per week and determinations are made on a case-by-case basis. Award amounts will vary. Students are eligible to receive support from the Student Emergency Fund regardless of current GPA or conduct standing. Please note that depending on when the application was submitted, it could take up to one week to receive an update.   

If you have any questions, please contact the Office of the Dean of Students at 419-372-2843. 

Survivor Emergency Fund

The Survivor Emergency Fund provides financial support to BGSU students (undergraduate, graduate, and international) and community members who have experienced violence and may need financial assistance. Please note that an emergency is considered to be a short-term, unexpected, and immediate need.  

The information requested will help determine your eligibility for funding, and you may be asked for additional documentation. To help expedite the process, please attach any supporting document if you are asking for assistance paying for rent, a copy of your utility bill, copy of medical bills along with your name and balance shown, and any other important documents that show proof of your financial needs. If you do not submit supporting documentation your request may be automatically denied.

Eligible requests include but are not limited to:

  • Legal fees  
  • Storage and moving fees
  • Safety-related needs such as changing locks on a vehicle or home  
  • Transportation including local busses or payment to and from an out of town shelter or community
  • Medical bills
  • One time payment of housing expenses (e.g., rent, deposit, mortgage)  
  • One time payment of essential utility expenses (e.g., heat, gas, water, and electricity)   
  • Required class supplies as outlined in a course syllabus  

Expenses NOT covered include but are not limited to: 

  • Non-essential utilities (e.g., cable) or furniture costs not related to damage or theft  
  • Parking tickets and other fines  
  • Costs for entertainment, recreation, non-emergency travel or other non-essential expense  
  • Student organization fees and expenses 

To be eligible for the Survivor Emergency Fund, you must: 

  • Be currently enrolled in classes during the semester of application; or
  • Be a faculty or staff member at BGSU; or
  • Be friends, family, or partners of someone connected to the BGSU community.  

Requests are reviewed once per week and determinations are made on a case-by-case basis. Award amounts will vary. Students are eligible to receive support from the Student Emergency Fund regardless of current GPA or conduct standing. Please note that depending on when the application was submitted, it could take up to one week to receive an update.   

If you have any questions, please contact the Office of the Dean of Students at 419-372-2843. 

Falcon Care Program

Provides a short-term solution for student in need of an immediate meal. This program can provide students with a limited meal card to be used in our dining halls (Social House, Kreischer Sundial and Carillon Place). Students can complete a food assistance application or come to the Office of the Dean of Students to request assistance. 

Grab-N-Go Food Bag Program

This program provides a student facing food insecurity with a bag of groceries to sustain them for 3 days. The bag contains three days’ worth of breakfast, lunch and dinner. Students can complete a food assistance application or come to the Office of the Dean of Students to request assistance.

Basic Needs Assistance Program

We are aware that hardships in life do not stop when one becomes a student. We are also aware that not every student has support and resources to meet their basic needs during times of emergency. As such, we have this program that can provide students with toiletries, clothing vouchers to a local business, laundry cards, menstrual products, and other toiletry items. Please note the items we have for students are based on availability and need. Please call the Office of the Dean of Students 419-372-2843 and schedule a meeting with a Student Care and Support staff member for assistance.

Ways to support student assistance programs

Click on the button above and type in the Student Emergency Fund. Your gift will help with essential needs such as rent, utilities, technology and equipment, travel expenses to return home or even buy food. This aid will greatly help our students who are working hard to navigate emergencies and to stay on track to graduate.

This program provides students experiencing food insecurity with a temporary meal card that has 5 swipes to be used in our dining halls. Students can donate 3 swipes per week to the Falcon Care Program to help sustain the program. This aid will greatly help our students who are working hard to navigate financial challenges, while striving to meet their academic requirements. If you are interested in receiving a Falcon Care Card, please fill out the food assistance form.

Sponsor a Food Drive 

The Grab-N-Go program was founded by the Office of the Dean of Students as there is an apparent need for students facing food insecurity.

First reach out to the Dean of students by contacting us at 419-372-2843 or odos@bgsu.edu. By hosting an event, you can help address food insecurity in our community. In our Food Drive Guide, you will find planning tips, a list of items the program collects, and other tips to make your food drive a success.  

Updated: 11/13/2025 11:22AM