Economic Crisis Response Grant

Home Economic Crisis Response Grant

2026-2027 Grant Availability

The Economic Crisis Response Grant process will reopen for the 2026-2027 academic year on Monday, August 31, 2026.

The Economic Crisis Response Grant provides short-term financial help for undergraduate and graduate students facing an unexpected crisis or emergency that could significantly affect the student’s health, safety, wellbeing, housing stability, or ability to stay enrolled at UMD. The grant is meant to cover immediate, one-time needs.

A request generally qualifies when:

An unforeseen or emergency event occurred;
The event created an immediate financial need that the student cannot reasonably meet with available resources;
Without intervention, the situation could significantly affect the student’s health, safety, wellbeing, housing stability, or ability to remain enrolled and persist at UMD; and
The qualifying emergency or crisis generally occurred within the past 30 days, as ECRG funding is intended to address current and immediate financial crises.

Grant Amounts and Limits

Award amounts vary based on a student’s specific need and the availability of funds. The lifetime maximum for Economic Crisis Response Grant (ECRG) funding is $1,500.

Students can receive one grant per academic year.
Students are limited to two total grants during their time at UMD.
ECONOMIC CRISIS RESPONSE GRANTS CANNOT BE PROVIDED FOR TUITION, UNIVERSITY FEES, ROOM & BOARD, OR STUDY ABROAD.
Assistance through this process is not guaranteed, and there is no guarantee that funding will be available for any given semester or term.

All application decisions are final and are not subject to appeal. However, a request may be resubmitted if new or previously unavailable information or documentation materially affects the circumstances considered in the original decision.

Eligibility

You must be a degree-seeking undergraduate or graduate student enrolled at least half-time. International students must be enrolled full time and in good visa standing.

To qualify, you’ll need to show that you’re experiencing a financial hardship caused by a sudden, unforeseen crisis. And, you'll need to demonstrate that other reasonably available financial resources are insufficient or unavailable to address the immediate crisis.

Urgent medical, dental, or mental health expenses incurred within the past 30 days resulting from an unforeseen illness, injury, or health crisis that are not adequately covered by insurance or other available resources
Emergency housing assistance when an unforeseen qualifying event has caused a student to become past due on housing expenses or placed them at immediate risk of eviction
Emergency food assistance
Temporary support costs due to threats or acts of violence
Emergency transportation expenses, including necessary vehicle repairs not covered by insurance, when the transportation disruption significantly affects the student's ability to attend classes, work, access medical care, or meet essential needs
Replacement of essential belongings due to burglary, fire, flood, or other disaster
Emergency dependent care

Because emergencies vary, expenses not specifically listed above may still be considered if they otherwise meet ECRG eligibility criteria and are not identified as an ineligible expense.

Expenses resulting primarily from discretionary spending or circumstances that do not constitute an unforeseen financial emergency
Routine rent, utility, and other recurring household expenses, unless an unforeseen qualifying event has created an immediate risk of housing loss or other serious threat to the student's health or safety
Health insurance copays, ongoing medical treatments, or routine medical expenses such as annual health check-up, dental cleanings, etc.
Academic expenses, including tuition, university fees, room and board, study abroad
Personal debt, including credit card payments, car payments, and other consumer debt;
Parking tickets or other fines
Car routine maintenance expenses, tire replacement, or vehicle replacement
Loss of employment or wages resulting from a voluntary resignation or a reduction in income that was known or reasonably foreseeable in advance
Child support payments
Expenses incurred on behalf of family members or other individuals, except for eligible dependent-care expenses
Legal fees and court costs, unless directly related to a qualifying crisis situation, such as domestic abuse or housing insecurity
Domestic or international travel expenses, including airfare, lodging, and related transportation costs
Home country monetary deflations or changes in the exchange rate

How to Apply

Review all information outlined above to ensure you qualify.
Complete the online application. Be specific about what happened, what support you need (including a budget), and what other options you’ve explored.
Attach supporting documents. The following documents are required:
- Food/Groceries: no documentation is required.
- Rent/Housing: Submit a copy of eviction notice or past-due notice AND a copy of current lease or mortgage statement showing your name, monthly rent/payment due, and the number of housemates. If your name is not on lease/mortgage OR if you have no lease, you must supply a signed statement from the owner or account holder that confirms you live at the premises and the amount you contribute to the rent/payment per month.
- Medical expense (including prescriptions, dental procedures, and medical procedures): Submit a copy of current bill or statement showing service provider, your name, and account balance due after insurance.
- Computer/laptop repair: Repair cost estimate from a computer repair shop that identifies the problem with your computer and the cost of repair, not to exceed $500. If the shop says that your computer is not repairable, the estimate must state that fact.
- Books/course materials: Submit a copy of current receipt or cost estimate for each item connected with the UMD course.
- Car repair: Submit copy of current repair estimate showing provider, your name, date, and itemized cost of repair. Note: the expense must be unexpected or an emergency; funding is not available for routine maintenance, tire replacement, or vehicle replacement.
- Child/dependent care: Supply copy of current arrangement with your provider including cost.
Do not submit bank account or credit card statements, medical appointment confirmation or explanation of benefits (EOBs). Applications cannot be approved until all required documentation is received. Applications missing required documentation will be denied, and students will be provided an opportunity to resubmit with the necessary documentation.
Submit your application. Processing typically takes 7–10 business days.
- We review applications on a rolling basis and twice per week during the regular academic year, excluding breaks. Incomplete applications will not be considered, and all decisions are final.

DO NOT FILL OUT THIS APPLICATION IF YOU NEED TUITION ASSISTANCE. PLEASE CONTACT THE OFFICE OF STUDENT FINANCIAL AID TO DISCUSS YOUR SITUATION IN DETAIL.

Apply for the Grant

Questions and Support

If you’re unsure whether you qualify or need help with the application, contact us at studentcrisisfund@umd.edu or call 301-314-8484. We’re here to help you navigate your options.