Funding Request Category Descriptions

Safety Net funding requests will be considered in the following categories:

Please see detailed category descriptions below. Make a funding request by reading through the Safety Net guide and filling out the submission form found on the bottom of the linked page.  Direct any questions to the Safety Net team. 

Note: Funding is not guaranteed.

Winter Clothing

Examples:

Winter jacket, boots, hat, gloves

Request types not covered:

Winter sports accessories

Notes:

Students must have exhausted all other financing options before applying for funds in this category.

Preferential consideration for

  • High-need students unfamiliar with winter weather
  • First and Second year students
  • Students who were ineligible to receive a start-up grant

Requests considered: October through January

Maximum request amount:

$300

Emergency medical/insurance

Examples: 

Necessary medical related expenses such as dental work, inpatient and outpatient services, expenses related to gender transition, immunizations, prescription glasses that are not covered by insurance.

Request types not covered:

  • Non-essential medical or dental treatments
  • Treatments covered by insurance
  • Immunizations for personal travel (not sponsored by Yale)

Notes:

  • Students must have exhausted all other financing options before applying for funds in this category
  • If student’s health insurance covers the costs, that should be used first
  • For high-need students only

Commencement support for graduating seniors

NOTE:  This category closes Thursday, April 11, at noon. Thanks to the generosity of an anonymous donor, Yale is able to provide commencement travel support to the families of graduating seniors and seniors who are walking in Spring 2024 Commencement who have a zero parent share. To determine if you qualify, please log into Yale Hub, and check your most recent financial aid letter for the 23/24 academic year. Parent Share is listed on page 2 under the section titled “Expected Family Contribution and Options to Pay Net Cost”. All eligible students will receive an email the week of March 26th outlining the total value of travel support eligibility. The email will also provide funding application instructions. If you do not receive an email by April 1st, but believe you are eligible for this support, please email undergrad.fa@yale.edu. The deadline to apply for aid is Thursday, April 11th.

Covered costs include:
  • Travel expenses for up to 2 adults and 1 sibling under the age of 16 (individual details on value of travel support will be in the March 26 email)
  • On-campus housing for up to 2 adults and 1 sibling under the age of 16 for non-Connecticut residents 
  • Meal stipend of $30 per day for a maximum of 3 days, for up to 2 adults and 1 sibling under the age of 16
Non-covered costs:
  • Off-campus housing (i.e. hotels, AirBnB, VRBO, or a stipend to student if family is staying at a student’s apartment)
  • Meal expenses in excess of $30 per day for the maximum of 3 days
  • Additional guests beyond what is outlined above
  • Additional transportation expenses incurred while in New Haven or expenses exceeding the allowances
  • Cap and Gown expenses
  • Commencement photography and miscellaneous expenses

Technology

Please read the guidelines below carefully and note that approved and funded requests are the exception and not the norm in this category.

Examples:  

Lending of laptops, mobile phones,  IT accessories absolutely required for curriculum. Replacement will be considered in very rare circumstances. Assistance in repairing essential parts might be granted.

Request types not covered:

  • Requests for the purchase of new technology will be denied
  • Requests for non-essential IT devices (such as second/better cell phone/laptop etc.). Replacement of functional laptops, mobile phones, IT accessories
  • Upgrades to cell phones or replacement laptops are unlikely to be considered

Notes:

  • Most requests are met with loaner equipment or assistance with repair
  • If a student’s computer needs to be fixed, it is possible to borrow a computer
  • Students can borrow a laptop for 2 consecutive semesters, but cannot take it with them for the summer break
  • Students must have exhausted all other financing options before applying for funds in this category
  • The maximum loan length for equipment is a full academic year

Emergency travel/bereavement

Examples:

Travel due to unexpected family emergencies, pre-arrival expenses

Request types not covered:

Non-emergency travel expenses such as visits during breaks, requests to bring family for graduation, legal counselling fees, immigration advisory fees, OPT (Optional Practical Training) costs

Notes:

  • Family is defined as immediate relatives of the student, such as parents or guardians,  siblings, spouse and children
  • Students should plan for the most economical means of transportation
  • Students must have exhausted all other financing options before applying for funds in this category
  • Make sure to upload estimates or receipts/screenshots of travel related expenses

Books and academic supplies

Please read the guidelines below carefully and note that approved and funded requests are the exception and not the norm in this category.

Notes:

  • Students must have exhausted all other financing options before applying for funds in this category otherwise the request will be denied
  • The financial situation of the student must strongly support the request
  • For high-need students only

Examples:

Required books for classes, art supplies, academic materials, students course pack, Interfolio.

Request types not covered:

Expenses not related to course requirements or that can be met by using existing campus resources. Expenses already included in the financial aid cost of attendance package.

Yale College Ensembles

For use with:

  • Glee Club
  • Symphony Orchestra
  • Yale Bands

Notes:

  • Requests within this category take longer to process. You can check the status of your request at any time.
  • Funding requests are considered for those students who have exhausted all other reasonable financing options before applying for funds in this category.
  • The student’s financial situation must strongly support this request.

Examples:

  • Student portion of a tour’s costs, additional food or lodging associated with participating with tours
  • Purchasing specialized and required concert attire
  • Renting instruments to perform in ensemble
  • Purchasing instrumental accoutrements (reeds, valve oil, rosin, strings, sticks)
  • Costs to take fee-for-service lessons through the School of Music, when not eligible for lessons-for-credit
  • Purchase of music or other materials required for music lessons
  • Social dues, costs for field trips, or other ensemble group activities that constitute “full participation” in the ensemble

Request types not covered:

  • Costs to deviate from ensemble tours for personal reasons, costs to ship personal instrument, insurance costs associated with personal instrument
  • Attire that is common clothing (black shirt, black pants), concert attire that is optional when common clothing is an option
  • Renting instruments to be used outside of eligible ensembles
  • Mutes, bows, or any other items that can be borrowed from the ensembles
  • Costs for fee-for-service lessons for students who are eligible for lessons-for-credit
  • Food or supplies for meetings, parties or social events outside of social dues
  • Materials that would become the property of the student or costs that are eligible to be covered through other funding sources

Other requests

Examples:

Other requests that do not fit into designated categories.

Request types not covered:

Non-essential, non-emergency items.

Notes:

Top-ups to the International Study Award (ISA) or the Summer Experience Award (SEA) cannot be considered.

Students who request post graduate exam fee funding must have attempted to apply for the respective graduate exam fee waiver beforehand. List of common graduate exams and information about the fee waivers can be found here: