Student Emergency Fund

Hundreds of students have received help from the Student Emergency Fund since it was introduced in 2018 during Richmond's first Spiders Helping Spiders campaign. Your gift to this fund will provide direct aid to students in need facing an unanticipated or emergency expense, situations that could otherwise derail their education.

During the 2023-24 academic year, 138 students benefitted from the Student Emergency Fund, totaling $40,528 for clothing, travel, technology, meals and support during holiday breaks, emergency housing, and medical needs:

• "I am reaching out, humbly seeking support to address outstanding medical expenses amounting to $1600, stemming from ongoing undiagnosed heart condition. Over the past several months, my journey has woven through numerous emergency room visits, multiple medical procedures, and prolonged periods tethered to heart monitors."
• "Living in a hot country like Bangladesh, I am unaccustomed to severe winter conditions. Currently residing in a colder climate, I find myself ill-equipped to face the harsh weather. The unfamiliarity with such cold temperatures has left me without adequate winter clothing, and as a scholarship recipient, the financial strain of purchasing these essentials is considerable."
• "I fell down a flight of stairs and broke my glasses. I have tried to persist with premade prescription glasses from Walmart, but I am getting migraines daily which I assume that my prescription has changed. I have inquired at Walmart that including an eye test and glasses, it will be around 300 dollars."
• "I am seeking $40 to purchase my nebulizer. I unfortunately left my nebulizer at home but coming out of the ER they prescribed liquid albuterol that requires a nebulizer to take. Due to my chronic asthma this medication is necessary to stay healthy during the duration of the school year."
• "I need some financial support for meals during the winter break. I am an international student and I’m unable to go home, I will really appreciate if I’m able to have enough support for campus meals."