There are several sources of funds/resources to support the financial needs of graduate students. Please review the following information about potential sources of support to determine the best avenue to request support for your needs.
Please note that graduate student stipends are intended to pay for basic living expenses for a single student (no dependents) to meet their basic needs (housing, utilities, food). It is unlikely that students will be able to support others or save while earning a stipend. The university cannot support student financial strain caused by a student supporting others beyond themselves.
If you are experiencing strain due to university circumstances beyond your control that may require intervention and/or additional support, please contact Acting Dean Mouw (cmouw@uri.edu).
URI Graduate School Short Term Emergency Hardship Fund
URI Graduate School’s Emergency Hardship Fund is available to assist graduate students enrolled full-time in traditional graduate programs who face unforeseen financial hardship
Established pursuant to the 2025-2026 GAU Contract, together with the Graduate School, the Emergency Hardship Fund is intended to provide up to $1,500 in emergency support.
Applications for emergency hardship funds will be considered on a case-by-case basis between August 25, 2025-May 17, 2026. Eligible students must be in good standing and not on leave. One award amount up to $1,500 per academic year will be determined in the order they are received, based on eligible need and funds available. Priority will be given to students who have not previously received this emergency funding. Requested expenses must have been incurred during the current academic year while enrolled at the University of Rhode Island. Costs for future academic years will not be considered. Students requesting funding may be asked to schedule a one-on-one meeting or call with a member of the Graduate School Grants Committee to review the request and discuss related issues.
Examples of eligible Financial Hardship Fund requests include:
- Rent, utilities, or other essential household expenses associated with temporary displacement due to fire, flood, or other unforeseen circumstances
- Medications and other costs related to medical care or dental care
- Personal safety needs (i.e. changing of locks)
- Costs related to emergency childcare
- Travel costs related to death or illness in immediate family
- One time car repair for car student uses for school commuting
- Replacement of personal belongings due to fire, natural disaster, or theft
Awarded students may choose one of two payment routes: 1) The Graduate School can pay a portion of university fees, insurance, or tuition. The funds will be applied towards the student’s academic bill. If the academic bill balance of $0.00, Enrollment Services will disburse a refund check. Note: this disbursement is considered a scholarship counted towards eligible financial aid; or, 2) Direct payment to the student is possible, but will be considered income and is subject to taxes.
*IMPORTANT: There are financial aid or income tax implications of receiving these funds. You may find it helpful to consult the US Internal Revenue Service (IRS) Tax Topic 421: Scholarship and Fellowship Grants and Publication 970: Tax Benefits for Education available at http://www.irs.gov. Specific questions regarding the taxation and personal tax liability should be referred to the IRS and or your personal tax advisor. The University cannot provide guidance or answer questions related to taxes. International students should contact foreigntax@etal.uri.edu for tax information.
Students First Fund
If your financial emergency is for reasons of unforeseen circumstances and cannot be considered a known and/or recurring cost, please review the eligibility requirements for the Students First Fund. An application to be considered for support by this fund is on the linked page.
Rhody Outpost
The Rhody Outpost supports students who are experiencing food insecurity. This means you lack consistent access to enough food for an active, healthy life. Food insecurity can be temporary or long-term. If you are food insecure, please review the information on the Outpost website and fill out the intake form on that page.