Financial Distress

Tuition and other college costs can impose a burden on students and their families, and students are often challenged with financial stress throughout their college years.  If you encounter students who are facing monetary hardship or extreme financial stress, please refer them to their Student Affairs Dean (see Resource List).  The following resources are also available for students in financial distress.

Financial Aid Concerns

If a student is in crisis and needs assistance with any financial aid matter, a faculty or staff member may call Financial Aid on his or her behalf.  Please call the Wellness Exchange at 212 443-9999 to discuss the students’ situation and to be connected with the internal staff hotline number of Financial Aid. Once connected, you may

• identify his/herself as a faculty or staff member who is calling on behalf of a student
• ask to speak with a Client Relations Team member

The Client Relations Team is a specially-trained group of Financial Aid staff who can review a student's financial situation and make recommendations and referrals to a variety of resources.  Following the call, please assess how the student is doing.  If the student continues to be in crisis, please refer him or her to the Wellness Exchange at 212-443-9999.

Students who wish to contact the Office of Financial Aid directly can call the main number at 212-998-4444.

Emergency Fund (lost or stolen wallet)

The Student Resource Center (SRC) provides no-interest loans of up to $20 to students whose wallet has been lost or stolen.  The NYU Department of Public Safety or the student affairs office of an NYU school must refer students to the Student Resource Center for such a loan.  It is requested that the loan be repaid within seven days.  The SRC is located on the second floor of the Kimmel Center for University Life in suite 210.  For more information, please call 212-998-4411.

Medical Emergency Fund for Full-time Graduate Students

Students sometimes face financial hardship due to unforeseen, catastrophic illness that greatly exceeds their insurance limitations. Fulltime graduate students who encounter monetary hardship for serious medical reasons may be eligible to receive financial assistance. A $200,000 medical emergency fund has been established to assist fulltime graduate students who have significant financial hardship caused by unusually large medical expenses. These medical expenses must be of a clear medical necessity, not fully covered by the student’s health insurance, and for which no other financial recourse is available. Examples of conditions not eligible for the fund are: pregnancy, elective surgery, routine out-patient care and cost of pharmaceuticals. For more information, call 212-443-1000 or visit: www.nyu.edu/shc/about/medical.emergency.fund.html.

Wellness Exchange

Through the Wellness Exchange, students faculty, and staff  can reach mental health professionals who can help them address day-to-day challenges related to financial concerns as well as medical issues, academic stress, depression, sexual assault, anxiety, alcohol and other drug dependence, sexually transmitted infections and eating disorders.  To reach the Wellness Exchange dial the 24/7 hotline (212-443-9999).  Students can call the hotline anonymously, if they prefer.  For more information, visit www.nyu.edu/999.