The Connection of Campus & Community Resources to Students

Purpose of the Basic Needs Hub

The Basic Needs Hub facilitates connection to campus and community resources for students who are experiencing a time of critical need. The Hub provides urgent, essential necessities, such as clothing, emergency shelter, and access to academic tools. Please note that the Hub does not cover items that are already included in a student’s financial aid package, including tuition and fees. We do our best to fulfill requests within 3-5 days.

The mission of the Basic Needs Hub is to provide short-term, temporary financial assistance in unanticipated or emergency situations; priority is given to students with the highest financial need. The Basic Needs Hub is not a crisis response service.

Funding Guidelines

For qualifying needs, funding limits generally range from $100 – $300 per request. Due to limited resources, it may not be possible to fulfill all requests. Demonstrated need, availability of resources, relevance, and timing of the request are all considered when allocating resources. The hub does not offer assistance for non-essential, preventable, or anticipated expenses, such as: tuition, fees, library fines, books already covered by financial aid, technology upgrades, or computer replacement caused by negligence.

Assistance provided through the Hub does not need to be repaid by the student. Funding is not intended to replace or supplement current student financial aid. Please refer to the following chart when considering an application to the Hub:

Eligible for Hub Consideration

Funded by Financial Aid Package

Items considered eligible for Hub funding include, but are not limited to: Clothing (ex: jackets, boots) Short-term, emergency shelter due to a dangerous situation or victimization Travel or transportation due to unanticipated crisis, family emergency, or other urgent circumstance  Essential academic tools, including technology needs such as laptop. Note that items such as iPads and headphones are not considered essential and are not supported. Unforeseen or unusual medical, dental, or vision-related expenses Toiletries

Items covered by cost of attendance in the student financial aid package are not supported by the Hub: Tuition  Fees Room and board (meal plan) Books and supplies, including courseware/software such as Top Hat, MindTap, and simulation databases Transportation (standard travel) *items may be considered for hub funding in the case of a documented extenuating circumstance or emergency

Eligibility

To be eligible for assistance through the Hub, a student must:

• Be currently enrolled in a University of Rochester degree program
• Submit a request form and corresponding financial aid documentation if requested
• Correspond or meet with an assigned advisor to discuss the situation
• If applicable, provide receipt(s) for purchases

If you are a student in need and would like to request resources, please complete the resource request form. Please note that information may be shared internally among University of Rochester staff members to the extent necessary to consider and/or complete the request. We do our best to fulfill all requests within 3-5 days.

Direct deposit is the fastest way to receive approved Hub funding. Applicants are strongly encouraged to set up Payment Elections in UR Student to receive approved funds by direct deposit. For instructions see Setting up Payment Elections in UR Student (pdf), which includes direct deposit for refunds.

For technical issues related to submitting this form please email basicneedshub@rochester.edu.