Law

Student Emergency and Educational Journey Fund (SEAEJ)

Fund Description

The Cincinnati Law Student Emergency Fund and the Educational Journey Fund provide limited financial assistance to currently enrolled Cincinnati Law students. There are two categories in which students can seek assistance:

Students who are experiencing an unanticipated, unavoidable, temporary hardship resulting from an emergency or crisis situation that has impacted their educational experience can seek support from the Emergency Fund. This fund is available to J.D. students, LLM students, or MLS students enrolled in the College of Law.

The Application can be found HERE

Students who are seeking funds in support of their overall educational journey that includes career development, licensure, etc., and have exhausted other financial resources can seek support from the Educational Journey Fund. This fund is only available to J.D. students or LLM students enrolled in the College of Law.

Students can submit applications only during the academic year (August- May). Funds are distributed as grants and do not need to be repaid. Grants do not generally exceed $500.00 and may not be available in every situation. The awarding of grants in excess of $500.00 will be considered on a case-by-case basis. The SEAEJ fund is administered by the Dean of Student Affairs, in collaboration with
the Dean of Admissions & Financial Aid and the College of Law Business Director.

The Application can be found HERE

Eligible and Ineligible Expenses

The following types of expenses may be covered under the Emergency Fund, though this list is not exhaustive:

  • Replacement of essential personal belongings due to fire, flood, theft or natural disaster
  • Textbook expenses when financial aid is delayed or unexpected school supplies
  • Medications or urgent medical care (not covered by insurance)
  • Childcare
  • Food, housing, or travel expenses due to an emergency

The following types of expenses are not eligible for coverage under the Emergency Fund:

  • Tuition
  • Student fees and fines
  • Violations (i.e. parking, towing, speeding), legal fines, or other legal expenses
  • Entertainment, recreation , or non-emergency travel

Application and Award Process

College of Law students seeking assistance should complete the application. Students have the option of attaching supplemental documentation that supports the application for committee review. Most applications are reviewed within two business days of receiving them.

Following the submission of the application and any requested follow-up, the Dean for Student Affairs, Dean for Admissions and Financial Aid, and the Director of Business Operations will review the submission and render a decision. The Dean of Student Affairs will then notify the student of the decision. In some cases, alternative resources will be provided instead of or in addition to the requested financial assistance.

If approved, grants will be processed within 3-5 business days.

Questions? Contact Assistant Dean for Student Affairs, Community Engagement Rudy Trejo trejorg@ucmail.uc.edu

Students who are experiencing an unanticipated, unavoidable, temporary hardship resulting from an emergency or crisis that has impacted their educational experience can seek support from the Emergency Fund. To qualify for the Emergency Fund, a student must:

  • Be enrolled at Cincinnati Law as a full-time student (J.D., LLM, MLS), as prescribed by their relevant degree program.
  • Be in good academic standing as determined by the College of Law.
  • Complete an application.
  • Have completed a FASFA application for the current financial aid year.
  • Have exhausted other sources of emergency assistance such as financial aid and family resources.
  • Demonstrated that the financial need is a one-time, unexpected expense rather than a chronic financial need.
  • Have not been a recipient of the Educational Journey Fund within the current academic year.
  • Have no fines (i.e. parking, library, etc.) or a balance posted to the applicant’s Bursar account at the time of application.
  • For LLM students, the Office of Student Affairs will confirm with the Office of International Programs the Proof of Income statement (Affidavit of Support) supplied to International Programs.


Examples of Eligible Expenses

  • Replacement of essential personal belongs due to fire, floor, theft or natural disaster.
  • Medications or urgent medical care (not covered by insurance or outstanding balances)
  • Childcare
  • Food, housing, or travel expenses due to an emergency
  • Safety needs (i.e. changing locks)
  • Essential Utilities (excludes costs for outstanding balances)
  • Mental Health support

Examples of Ineligible Expenses

  •  Tuition
  • Student fees and fines
  • Legal counsel and fees
  • Health insurance
  • Credit card bills
  • Regularly anticipated fixed expenses (i.e. rent)
  • Violations (i.e. parking, towing, speeding), legal fines, or other legal expenses
  • Entertainment, recreation, or non-emergency travel
  • Reimbursement for purchases already made due to the emergency situation
  • Landlord/Tenant Issues

Students who are seeking funds in support of their overall educational journey that includes career development, licensure, etc. and have exhausted other financial resources can seek support from the Educational Journey Fund. To qualify for the Educational Journey fund, a student must:

  •  Be enrolled at Cincinnati Law as a full-time student (J.D., LLM), as prescribed
    by their relevant degree program.
  • Be in good academic standing as determined by the College of Law.
  • Complete an application.
  • Demonstrate how the need is essential to one’s educational journey.
  • Have completed a FASFA application for the current financial aid year.
  • Have not been a recipient of the Emergency Fund within the current
    academic year.
  • If requested, meet with the Dean of Student Affairs and/or Selection Committee to discuss their request.
  • Have no fines (i.e. parking, library, etc.) or a balance posted to the
    applicant’s Bursar account at the time of application.

Eligible Expenses

  • Textbook expenses when financial aid is delayed due to processing or
    administrative errors.
  • Timely/First Deadline licensure fees and costs (prior to graduation and includes fees such as but not limited to NCBE, NPRE, Character & Fitness, and State Bar Exam
  • Professional dress attire (if unavailable in the Professional Dress Closet)

Ineligible Expenses

  • Tuition
  • Student fees and fines
  •  Legal counsel and fees
  • Health insurance
  • Credit card bills
  • Regularly anticipated fixed expenses (i.e. rent)
  • Violations (i.e. parking, towing, speeding), legal fines, or other legal expenses
  • Entertainment, recreation, or non-Educational Journey expenses
  • Reimbursement for purchases already made for the Educational Journey
  • Landlord/Tenant Issues
  • International expenses