Financial Resources

Emergency Funding

Hoo Needs Help is a centralized emergency financial assistance program that exists to support students who need assistance with unexpected, unforeseen, and unavoidable emergency expenses. These may be expenses related to situations such as accidents, illness, theft, natural disasters, and food or housing insecurity.

Learn more about EMERGENCY FUNDING

Student Council Resources

Accommodations Access Fund

  • The Accommodations Access Fund is a part of the Student Council Support and Access Services Branch (SAS) that partners with the Student Disability Access Center (SDAC). This fund’s primary purpose is to provide students who are applying to SDAC accommodations and unable to cover specialist and testing.

Textbook Rentals & Reimbursements

CavGrants

  • CavGrants are small $5 grants that every UVA student is eligible for. These grants are automatically distributed into your account and are redeemable up to 4 times an academic year to be put toward laundry, printing, convenience store food, and anything else . To request a grant, please fill out this form. Reach out to Eva Le ([email protected]) or Dana Hussein ([email protected]) with any questions.

Additional and Alternative Resources

Short-Term Emergency Loans

  • Student Financial Services offers a short-term emergency loan available to undergraduate students for up to $1,250 per semester. To apply for an Emergency Loan, please email [email protected].
  • Care and Support Services offers an Honor Loan of up to $1500 per semester available for all students who are in good academic standing and good financial standing. Please complete this form to apply. If you have any questions about the eligibility requirements or the Honor Loan, please email [email protected].

Next Steps Fund 

  • Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) and UVA Student Council recognize the importance of finding an affordable therapist and being able to have ongoing access to treatment. In paying for your first six sessions with a community therapist, The Next Steps Fund is intended to help reduce your initial financial burden. After the six initial visits, the student will pay for ongoing sessions independently or through their health insurance plan.

Cavalier Fund

  • The Cavalier Fund provides up to $1,000 per academic year to support eligible students' interest and participation in co-curricular activities that supplement the University’s academic program.
  • All enrolled undergraduate students with demonstrated financial need are eligible to apply. You can find more information about eligibility requirements here.

CashCourse

  • CrashCourse is a free, self-paced financial education resource available to all UVA students, staff and faculty. It’s a great starting point for building lifelong money management skills. Whether you're learning to budget, manage student loans, or plan for life after graduation, CashCourse offers practical tools and guidance to help you take control of your financial future. Register for Cash Course with your UVA email to get started.

GradBridge Loan

  • Graduate students transitioning from fellowship stipends to wage assistantships can borrow a GradBridge Loan for up to $2,500 per term.

Peer Financial Counseling

  • Free peer counseling support available to all UVA students including budgeting, personal credit, student loans, personal banking, investing, etc.

Food Insecurity Resources

  • The Cavalier Food Pantry is located on the fourth floor of Student Health and Wellness, with a satellite location in the Student Activities Center on the 1st floor of Newcomb Hall, room 144. The pantry is open to all students.
  • The Blue Ridge Area Food Bank Food Finder is an online resources available to help you find food. Enter your location to search for free groceries, fresh produce, and/or meals near you.
  • More information about community-based food resources is available on our Food Resources page.
  • Students working at least 20 hours a week in a federally funded or state work study program are automatically eligible for assistance with food needs through the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). Apply online and an individual from Social Services will follow up with information on next steps.

Common Help

  • CommonHelp is the Commonwealth of Virginia’s fast and easy way to apply online for many financial assistance programs.