Buchheit Graduate Student Family Support Fund

All applying students must: 

• Be enrolled as full-time graduate student. 
• Be making satisfactory academic progress as determined by their program.   

Students applying for emergency funds must: 

• Have an unexpected cost arise connected to dependents under their care. 

Students applying for funds to support child daycare expenses: 

• If you are a PhD student, you must apply for a child daycare subsidy through the WashU Child Daycare Subsidy program: https://provost.wustl.edu/child-daycare-subsidy/  All other graduate students must first apply for any available childcare subsidies and/or other financial support through their school.

Examples of expenses that may be supported by this fund:

• Unanticipated, emergency medical, dental or mental health expenses for the dependent
• Expenses to support the dependent due to accidents or unforeseen emergency circumstances such as fire and natural disasters

Examples of non-eligible expenses:

• Routine and ongoing living expenses are generally not covered by this fund. Expenses must be supporting the dependent of the student; other individuals are not covered.
• This fund is not designed to cover standard educational expenses for the student included in the budgeted cost of attendance for the academic year, including tuition, fees, research, course materials, or conference travel.
• Costs incurred during a previous academic year, prior to active enrollment, or while a student was on leave are not eligible.
• Routine and ongoing living expenses are generally not covered by this fund. Expenses must be supporting the dependent of the student; other individuals are not covered.

Applying for funding:

Students apply online to the Buchheit Graduate Student Family Support Fund. The application includes the following:

• Brief statement describing the situation and unforeseen expense due to an emergency, and how the Buchheit Graduate Student Family Support Fund can provide support. 
• The time the expense was (or will be) incurred. 
• Proof of expense(s) (i.e., itemized/detailed receipt, invoice, etc. that corroborates funding request) compiled in a single PDF file. 
• The amount of emergency funding requested including: a list of current expenses, how the funds will be used, and your financial situation including sources of income and other available funding. 
  • If the expense has already been incurred, please provide documentation* of costs. 
  • If the expense has not yet been incurred, please provide documentation* of anticipated expenses. 
• Attestation on the application form: 

I understand that the Buchheit Graduate Student Family Support Fund is an emergency award available to support graduate and professional students with dependents. I certify that to the best of my knowledge, the information on this application and the documentation are correct and complete. I have no other resources to cover this emergency expense. If this request is for medical/dental support, I permit the Graduate Center to work with Student Health Services to ensure that health insurance has been applied to my case. I also permit my School’s financial aid office to release information about my financial support to review my eligibility for assistance. Any monies received via the Buchheit Graduate Student Family Support Fund may be considered taxable income and I accept that responsibility. I understand that falsification or misrepresentation of information on this application and documentation will result in disciplinary action against me. 

We understand that it may be difficult in some situations to obtain documentation, but applicants must verify expenses to qualify. 

*Please provide the appropriate documentation for your situation: 

• All documentation must be in English or include an English translation. 
• It must be a single, PDF file. It can include multiple receipts/invoices/documents but must be one file. 
• Emergency medical treatment or medication: insurance claims, letter from medical provider; documentation must provide details on treatment received. 
• Emergency travel: Ticket receipts and final ticket stubs. If you apply for funding before departure, you must provide the final ticket stub within two weeks of your return date.  
• Fire, destruction, or natural disaster: A copy of a police report. If you have renter’s insurance, provide documentation showing your deductible.  
• Documents/receipts/invoices must: 
  • Provide details that back up the funding request including the student’s name. Show the total amount and confirmation of payment. Include the vendor or payee name information. 

What is the deadline to apply? 

Applications are accepted on a rolling basis throughout the calendar year based on availability of funds.  

Where can I seek financial assistance to help with childcare? 

Emergency funds will be considered on a case-by-case basis; childcare funds are only applied per child. If you are a PhD student, you must first apply for a child daycare subsidy through the WashU Child Daycare Subsidy program: https://provost.wustl.edu/child-daycare-subsidy/    

All other graduate students must first apply for any available childcare subsidies and/or other financial support through their school.

How will I receive my payment? 

Eligible students will receive the payment via direct deposit. 

Are there tax implications? 

Please consult a tax advisor regarding your personal tax situation. 

What documentation is required to apply to these funds?  

Receipts and/or invoices for costs incurred, or documentation that proves estimated costs. Please see above for more details.