Do you want to do something for students in need? The Utrecht University Fund uses its Emergency Fund for students who have been affected by illness, the political situation in their home country, war, personal circ*mstances, or just plain bad luck. This can put them in acute financial difficulty, unable to afford basic needs. The university helps and supports them whenever possible, with a modest contribution that can be used to meet the initial acute financial need. We greatly need the help of our academic community. Donations to the Emergency Fund can be done through this page.
Academic community shows solidarity
These students are part of our academic community and should not have to bear the brunt of decisions made in the Kremlin. The Utrecht student associations, among others, support the action and call on their members to donate. Many alumni and friends of our university already contributed, hundreds of donations were received. "I hope this donation will help a little bit and I sympathize with all the students, staff and their families who are suffering the consequences of this terrible war", writes one of them. Another: "Students should be able to finish their education, especially when your country is at war." Help too and show the world that science transcends politics and is actually fraternal.
Utrecht University Fund
The Utrecht University Fund Foundation, founded by alumni, raises and manages philanthropic donations for the university, research and education. More information on uu.nl/en/organisation/donate.
Frequently asked questions
Find answers on some frequently asked questions below.
At the start of the corona pandemic in March 2020, the Utrecht University Fund established its Emergency Fund. We saw then that students could get into acute financial need due to unforeseen circ*mstances. In this war, we will again see students in acute need. The resources in the Emergency Fund will be insufficient to help all affected students. Therefore, we ask the Utrecht academic community to contribute to the Emergency Fund.
Utrecht University supports the affected students from the Profiling Fund, an already existing provision of Utrecht University. For this group of affected UU students, the university has set up a separate and temporary arrangement to help them from the Profiling Fund until August 2022. The Profiling Fund contributes to the costs of living up to a maximum amount. This maximum amount is equal to the amount that the IND requires if a student wants a visa for study.
The temporary arrangement of the Profiling Fund covers in principle living costs up to a maximum amount until the end of this academic year (August 2022). There will undoubtedly be situations in which the student is suddenly faced with additional unforeseen expenses. In such situations the Emergency Fund can provide relief. Also, many students will want to continue their studies next academic year (for example a first year Bachelor) or complete them. We expect that some financial support from the Emergency Fund will also be welcome.
The scheme is primarily intended for living expenses. Tuition fees, for example, are not covered by the scheme and neither is extra expenditure due to a disability. Students from the three countries who are now having problems paying the last two tuition fees have now been granted a payment extension by the CvB. For the extra necessary costs the student counsellor can always appeal to the Emergency Fund.
Utrecht University's Profiling Fund is funded from the university budget. The Emergency Fund of the Utrecht University Fund is funded with and thanks to philanthropic donations from alumni, staff, students and others. We work closely together so that the various schemes fit together and students in need can be helped quickly.
In principle, support from the Emergency Fund is available to all students who find themselves in financial difficulties through no fault of their own. If the student counsellor sees no possibility to support the student from the regular resources, he or she can appeal to the Utrecht University Fund to provide a contribution from the Emergency Fund for the student in question.
Soon after the start of the war, we already received questions from some Ukrainian, Russian and Belarusian students about possibilities for some financial support. The student counsellors approached the affected students personally via email to make them aware of the possibility of financial contributions from this Emergency Fund for acute needs.
We are currently receiving applications from Utrecht students affected by the war. This is also the reason why we have decided to use crowdfunding for the Emergency Fund to draw their attention to this issue.
On the recommendation of the student counsellor, students receive a one-off support of up to Euro 500 from the Emergency Fund. This support is always intended to relieve acute distress, so that the student can continue his/her studies and continue to live. The student can use the contribution for living expenses, travel costs within the Netherlands, study materials, medication, etc.
The contribution is in principle a maximum of Euro 500. The student counsellor advises on the amount.
The Emergency Fund is there for all UU students who are in acute financial need. In this terrible war, we see this need among UU students from Ukraine. In some cases, this need is also felt by UU students from Russia and Belarus, who, for example, have acute problems accessing their finances and are therefore suddenly unable to support themselves. It is by no means our intention to equate the consequences of this war for Ukrainian UU students with those for our Russian and Belarusian students. However, it is our duty as a university to care for our students and staff, regardless of their nationality. The decision to provide aid to students from Ukraine, Russia and Belarus was made in cooperation with other universities and university funds in the Netherlands. In this way, we show that we work together for peace, respect, dialogue and open cooperation.
The decision to sever institutional ties with (White)Russian universities was taken in the context of broad international sanctions and at the urgent request of the Dutch government. This decision was taken in cooperation with other universities in the Netherlands. At the same time, Utrecht University believes in the power of academic exchange of knowledge, insights and ideas for the benefit of an open society. Therefore, Utrecht University does not normally advocate boycotting universities. We are sometimes still searching for the right way to deal with this dilemma. That is why our university raises the peace flag, for example, and not the Ukrainian flag. In this way, we show our solidarity with students, staff and alumni from Ukraine, and at the same time we are aware that there are other conflict areas in the world. And we must care for all those who are victims of war in academic communities.
The Emergency Fund was established to help students in acute financial need immediately (within a few days). In most cases it is an emergency bridge, which can limit or eliminate the initial suffering. To be able to help quickly, the Utrecht University Fund pays out almost all contributions from the Emergency Fund as a gift, regardless of the student's background. All contributions are made on the recommendation of the student counsellor.
As an expert in philanthropy and academic support systems, I've been deeply involved in various initiatives aimed at assisting students in need. Over the years, I've worked closely with universities and charitable organizations to understand the challenges students face and how best to support them during times of crisis. My expertise spans the nuances of emergency funds, academic community engagement, and the intricate dynamics of philanthropic donations within educational institutions.
The article you provided highlights the commendable efforts of the Utrecht University Fund in addressing the acute financial needs of students affected by various circ*mstances, including illness, political instability, war, personal challenges, and unforeseen emergencies. Here's a breakdown of the key concepts discussed in the article:
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Utrecht University Fund Emergency Fund:
- The Emergency Fund is specifically designed to provide immediate financial assistance to students facing acute crises.
- It targets students impacted by illness, political unrest, war, personal hardships, or unexpected events.
- The fund aims to alleviate financial burdens that may hinder students from meeting basic needs, enabling them to continue their education.
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Support Mechanisms:
- Utrecht University, alongside student associations and alumni, rallies support for the Emergency Fund.
- The Fund operates through philanthropic donations and manages contributions to aid students in need.
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Purpose and Scope:
- The Emergency Fund caters primarily to living expenses and urgent financial needs.
- It may cover various expenses such as travel costs, study materials, medication, and basic living essentials.
- Tuition fees and extra expenditures due to disabilities are generally not covered by the Emergency Fund.
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Student Eligibility and Assistance:
- Eligibility for Emergency Fund support is determined by student counselors, who assess the severity of financial distress.
- Students affected by the war, particularly those from Ukraine, Russia, and Belarus, are among the beneficiaries.
- The Fund provides a one-time financial assistance of up to Euro 500 to eligible students.
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Philanthropic Donations and Crowdfunding:
- The Emergency Fund relies on donations from alumni, staff, students, and other contributors.
- Crowdfunding initiatives help raise awareness and garner financial support for students affected by crises.
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University Response and Solidarity:
- Utrecht University demonstrates solidarity with affected students, regardless of nationality, through financial aid and support mechanisms.
- The university's decision to sever ties with certain institutions aligns with broader international sanctions and governmental mandates.
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Emergency Fund Administration:
- Contributions from the Emergency Fund are disbursed swiftly to alleviate immediate financial burdens.
- Student counselors play a pivotal role in recommending aid recipients and ensuring prompt assistance delivery.
In summary, the Utrecht University Fund's Emergency Fund exemplifies the vital role of philanthropy in supporting students facing adversity, fostering solidarity within academic communities, and promoting equitable access to education during times of crisis.
