What is FAST Fund: The FAST Fund is an economic emergency fund run by UIC United Faculty for UIC undergraduate students. The point of the FAST fund is to quickly give students a small grant ($100-$250 max/student) for non-tuition costs that will support them in completing their education. The aim is to help students (primarily first generation, self-supporting students) cover expenses that cause stress and interfere with studies and which Financial Aid can not address.
APPLICATION HERE
Quick facts: Last fall 2022, FAST Fund distributed $5215 to 23 students (60% first generation college students, 52% self-supporting, 35% supporting someone else), with funds going to (in order): books & supplies, housing costs, food, medical needs, transportation, and child care.
Difference from U&I Care Fund: We also hope to connect students with resources they may not be aware of; for instance, we let applicants know that the Dean of Students Office has a similar, better resourced fund, financed by the federal government and private donors, the U&I Care fund. It grants one-time awards (typically not exceeding $500) to students who have used all of their Financial Aid, including loans, and have costs related to the following things:
Overdue rent and utilities (i.e. eviction notice, utility disconnection notice)
Medical, dental, or mental health emergencies
Books, school supplies, or other school related expenses
Replacement of belongings lost in a fire or natural disaster
Safety related needs (i.e. changing locks, short term emergency shelter)
Travel related to the death of an immediate family member.
We encourage students to apply to the U&I Care fund first, since they have a fast response time and are able to give out more money per person. To help as many students as possible, FAST fund prioritizes those students who are ineligible for or have already applied to U & I Care. Having spoken with Dean of Students to coordinate our reach, we’ve identified some areas we can provide help where U&I can not, as shown in the table below, if helpful.
DOS U & I CARE FUND | FAST FUND |
DO NOT do tuition or fees or recurring bills like rent or cell phone bills DO NOT do vet or medical bills for family members DO cover grad students DO NOT cover non-degree students Did cover part-time students last spring—but said they might limit to the fund to full-time students when COVID funding runs out this fall
| DO cover emergency cell phone bills DO cover emergency food, child care, and transportation costs DO cover emergency family medical expense DO cover emergency vet bills DO provide grants if you have reached your Federal Aid limit DOES NOT figure into student’s Federal Aid Undergraduate only
|
PROCESS need to have used up financial aid (including loans) need to have a bill you can show that you need to pay as documentation Will dispense money within 5 days usually (they have a full-time staff)
| PROCESS |
AID $500 max/student (per award cyle) gave out $8 million over last 2 years money comes from federal government and private donors
| AID |
