Frequently Asked Questions

General Questions
 

• Who is eligible for funding?
  All currently enrolled high-need Yale College students experiencing financial hardship. This includes international students, undocumented and DACA students as well. At this time graduate and professional students are not eligible to apply for funding through the portal. High-need is defined as have a parent share below $10,000. In the case of Eli Whitney or independent students, high-need is defined as having a student share below $10,000.
   

• Do I have to have a $0 parent share to be eligible?
  No. All submissions are reviewed on a case-by case basis and numerous factors are considered for eligibility. However, some funding is limited to students with a $0 parents share.

• What can be funded?
  Funding can be received for unexpected one-time expenses, such as medical expenses, winter clothing, emergency bereavement travel, technology, and books and academic supplies.

• How much funding is available for a student?
  Funding is dependent on individual circumstances and the funding category. Some funding categories have limits of coverages.

• What is the source of funding?
  Most of the funds are distributed from a dedicated centralized fund, available through the generous support of Yale Alumni.

• How to apply for funding?
  Click on Submit a request under the funding request tab. You need to have a NetID to access the portal.
   

• What to do if I need immediate help in emergency?
  Please call and/or email your Residential College Head for help. If they are not available, call your Residential College Dean, Operations Manager or Head of College’s Administrative Assistant.
   

• When am I eligible to receive funding through Safety Net?
  Safety Net opens at the beginning of the fall term and closes at the end of the spring term. Safety Net is not open during summer and does not fund expenses incurred during times that Safety Net is closed. You must be an enrolled student during the term in which the expense occurred and you are making the request. Safety Net only funds in the current academic year and will not accept requests that occurred in a prior year. There may be other criteria for eligibility as it pertains to specific grants.
   

Questions Related to the Application Form
 

• Where do I find my parent share or student share and why is this the metric that is used?
  Only students receiving financial aid from Yale will have a parent share.  You can find your parent share or student share by logging in to the Yale Hub. Click on the ‘Financial Aid’ tab and locate your most recent financial aid letter. The parent share will be listed on the letter.
   

• When can I expect to receive a response?
  We strive to respond within 3-5 business days. Complicated requests will take longer. Sometimes we need additional information from you, so please monitor your request in the portal for any communications from our Team.
   

• Where can I find more information about the funding categories?
  Visit the funding request category descriptions page to find up-to date information about the funding categories.
   

• Who is evaluating my request?
  Designated Yale staff evaluate all requests in the order received. Based on the request category the reviewers may include your Head of College, staff in the offices of Student Affairs and Student Engagement and Undergraduate Financial Aid.
   

• How do I receive the funds once approved?
  If your request is approved, you will receive an email with more information on how to access funds. Some students are offered monetary loans or loaner equipment.

• Why does Safety Net not support travelling home to visit my family?
  Safety Net supports only emergency travel for high-need students.