1893 Emergency Fund

Since opening in 1893 at Mendota Seminary, AU has had an unwavering commitment to assisting our students, faculty, and staff when emergencies arise. We understand that, at times, you may need additional assistance. Because of this, we have established the 1893 Emergency Fund as a permanent source to help address the need for short-term financial assistance for our students and employees.

Over the past decades, the university community has often pooled together its resources to help ease some of the unexpected financial burdens that have occurred. Similarly, the 1893 Fund receives ongoing support from alumni, employees, trustees, and friends of the university. Monies distributed from the 1893 Fund do not require repayment, but the funding could have an impact on a student’s financial aid.*

If you are facing an unforeseen expense, you can apply to receive assistance from the 1893 Fund. Before applying for assistance, please read the following information. If you have any questions, contact 1893fund@aurora.edu.

Eligibility

• Applicants must be enrolled in classes and in good standing or employed by the university during the term in which the award is requested.
• Applicants must have a financial hardship resulting from an emergency, accident, or other unplanned event.
• Student applicants must have exhausted all other resources, including student financial aid, which most likely includes completing the FASFA.
• Recipients of support from the 1893 Fund may receive a maximum of two (2) awards not to exceed a total of $2,000 during a 24-month period.
• Applicants must submit an online application and provide related supporting documentation.
• By submitting the form, you certify that the information is accurate and you will use 1893 funds only for the purposes specified.

The 1893 Fund considers the following types of expenses:

• Medications and medical (dental, medical, or mental health) expenses.
• Loss of childcare.
• Safety needs (e.g., changing a lock, emergency short-term shelter).
• Assistance with the replacement of essential personal belongings due to fire, theft, or natural disaster.
• Travel costs related to a death or an illness in the immediate family.
• Emergency car repair expenses.
• Assistance with rent, utilities, food, and other essential living expenses.
• Access related to remote learning.

Expenses generally NOT considered include:

• Tuition, fees, health insurance, and study abroad costs.
• Non-essential utilities (e.g., cable), household, 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 expenses.
• Foreseen and non-emergency expenses.
• Expenditures resulting from poor financial management.

*If you are currently receiving financial aid, please be aware that receiving assistance from the 1893 Fund may affect your financial aid package. Review of requests occurs on a regular and timely basis and with the greatest care and strictest confidence.

Decisions

Decisions regarding the disbursement of funds are made on a case-by-case basis. Please allow three business days for a response to individual requests. The student or employee’s university email address is used for communication. Grants made from the 1893 Fund do not require repayment. The preferred distribution of an award is via direct deposit.

Award Amount

Recipients may receive a maximum of two (2) awards during a 24-month period and the combined amount of the two awards cannot exceed $2,000. Emergency funding is NOT intended to provide ongoing relief for recurring expenses. 

The ability to receive a grant from the 1893 Fund is solely dependent on the availability of funds.