Eshelman School of Pharmacy: Financial Hardship Funds Procedure

This procedure explains the Eshelman School of Pharmacy's process for reviewing student Financial Hardship Fund requests and notifying students of approval or denial.

Unit Procedure

Title

Eshelman School of Pharmacy: Procedure for Financial Hardship Funds

Introduction

Purpose

• Process for distributing approved Financial Hardship Funds
• Please see the Eshelman School of Pharmacy Financial Hardship Funds policy.  A limited financial hardship fund is available for students in any Eshelman School of Pharmacy graduate or professional curriculum experiencing unexpected emergencies that may significantly impact their ability to continue in the pharmacy curriculum and/or safety and financial well-being. This policy supports distribution of approved funds. 

Scope

• This policy applies to staff implementing the Financial Hardship Funds process at the Eshelman School of Pharmacy. 
• The Eshelman School of Pharmacy Foundation, Office of Student Affairs, and Business & Finance Operations team.
• There are no specific exclusions. 

Procedure

1. Student submits Qualtrics Financial Hardship request.
2. Request is reviewed by Senior Director of OSA.
3. Students may be asked to meet with the appropriate OSA staff member (program/campus) for further information, assessment of need, and additional resource referrals.
4. Final determination made by OSA leadership team (Director CH, Director AVL, Director Grad Programs, Director Experiential Student and Career Service). Senior Director of OSA, or designee, informs student of decision and next steps.
   1. Request Denied
      1. Student is ineligible
      2. Student has not requested emergency funds through primary University sources
      3. Reason is ineligible for financial hardship grant
   2. Request Approved
      1. Amount approved
      2. Process
5. Grant Approved:
   1. Notify Pam Morrison (Business and Finance Operations); Cc: OSA Budget Manager
   2. Student Name, PID, Grant Amount, Date Approved
   3. Pam will process via GradStar
   4. Cashier will process the refund through the students’ account as a refund
      1. Usually within about a week of notification
      2. The student must have set up automatic payment
         1. Please see the University Cashier's "Refunds" page for more details.
      3. Any outstanding fees will be covered first
   5. Document in TEAMS
      1. ESOP Case Management
         1. Financial Hardship Funds
6. Grant Not Approved
   1. Notify student
   2. Provide additional resources and/or alternatives
   3. Document in TEAMS
      1. ESOP Case Management
         1. Financial Hardship Funds

Related Requirements

School Policies, Standards, and Procedures

• Emergency Fund Policy

Contact Information

Primary Contact

Name: Ilona Owens

Telephone: 919-445-4866

Email: owensi@email.unc.edu