Funding Options

Emergency Grant-In-Aid

Emergency Grant-in-Aid Funds assist graduate students who experience a financial emergency or unanticipated expenses, causing financial hardship. This program is designed to assist in situations where the emergency may impede academic progress, and for those who cannot reasonably resolve their financial difficulty through fellowships, loans, or personal resources.

Emergency Grant-in-Aid awards are grants that reimburse actual expenses. These awards are not a loan and do not need to be repaid. Emergency Grant-in-Aid awards are taxable income.

Eligible Expenses

Emergency Grant-in-Aid funds are not available for expenses included in the standard student budget. If the support opportunities offered by your academic department do not meet your needs, you may want to consider student loans. Requests for support of expenses that can be considered standard expenses will be denied.

Unanticipated or unusual expenses (most commonly medical or dental; other expenses will be considered on a case-by-case basis) outside of the typical student budget that may hinder the student’s academic progress will be considered. Costs must have been incurred while enrolled at Stanford, and costs for a previous or future academic year will not be considered. Each case is considered on its own merits. Any costs that are not documented cannot be considered. The following expenses are typically considered for assistance after a full review process and the student is deemed unable to resolve their financial difficulty through other means.

• Medically necessary procedures/expenses to maintain good health and academic progress, including out of pocket medical, mental health, dental and vision costs. Ongoing expenses for chronic expenses will be considered. Expenses for legal dependents, as shown on your tax return, can be considered when medically necessary. Cosmetic expenses will not be considered. Fertility preservation, except when it becomes necessary due to other medical complications, will not be considered. Additional documentation such as a doctor’s note may be required to complete your application review.
• Legal expenses impacting enrollment including costs related to citizenship or visa status. Legal expenses impacting enrollment including costs related to citizenship or visa status. Initial enrollment costs for international students will not be considered.
• Repairs for computer limited to $1,000. (new computer/tablet purchases will not be considered).
• Unexpected costs outside of the standard educational budget that cause an economic hardship.

Your financial resources are considered as part of the application process. If we determine that you should have sufficient resources to handle the expense your request will be denied. If you have experienced extraordinary circumstances and are unsure if you should apply, you may contact the Financial Aid Office financialaid@stanford.edu to discuss your situation.

Amount

Up to $5,000 per academic year.  Computer repair assistance is limited to $1,000.

Student Eligibility

Degree-seeking students enrolled in a graduate program at Stanford are eligible to apply.  Eligibility decisions for professional degree candidates in the Graduate School of Business, School of Law or School of Medicine will be made in consultation with your Financial Aid Office.  Students applying for Emergency Grant-in-Aid funds must be making satisfactory academic progress and must be currently enrolled. Exceptions can be made for students on a medical leave of absence.

Application Requirements

1. Completed Application Form.
2. Documentation of expenses such as copies of billing statements or receipts is required.  If requesting aid to help with medical or dental costs, invoices or treatment plans from the medical provider may be submitted. Vaden Health Center can assist with insurance statements if necessary; you can only be reimbursed for expenses not covered by insurance. Any costs that are not documented cannot be considered. *Missing or incomplete documentation will result in a delay in processing.  
3. Documentation of Income Please submit the student and spouse’s (if applicable) latest federal income tax return. This is not required if the applicant has submitted a FAFSA or previously submitted tax forms to the Financial Aid Office. Note that as a graduate student you are considered independent on the FAFSA and are not asked to provide parent information. If married, information is required from your spouse.

The Grant-in-Aid Committee will review your financial aid history, student account and academic record.  You will be contacted if additional information is needed.  Review times vary based on the time of year, generally notifications are sent within two to four weeks after application materials have been submitted and received.

Updated on December 13, 2024 9:20 AM