Resource Guide for LSA Scholars

Emergency Financial Services

• • LSA Emergency Scholarship

    • • The LSA Emergency Scholarship was created to provide support to LSA students facing an unexpected emergency that causes financial hardship.

        • • Must have a FAFSA and CSS profile on file to be considered

  • Emergency Assistance through UM’s Office of Financial Aid

    • • Short-Term emergency Loan

        • • OFA provides up to $500 in a short-term (90-day), interest-free loan.

      • Financial Aid Re-Evaluation

        • • Families and individuals experiencing a significant and prolonged decline in income may be eligible for additional financial aid.

  • Emergency Funding (Center for Education of Women+ (CEW+)

    • • CEW+ has emergency funding available for current UM Ann Arbor campus students. These grants, called Emergency Funds (EF), are for unexpected financial emergencies that threaten to derail degree progress.

        • • Contact CEW+ at 734-764-6360 and schedule a counseling appointment where eligibility for the grant will be determined.

  • Short Term Emergency Assistance (Dean of Students Office, Student Life)

    • • Emergency Funding available through the Dean of Students Office for students who are unable to meet immediate, essential expenses due to temporary hardship related to an unforeseen or emergency situation.

        • • Students may generally receive this assistance one time for up to $500. This is intended as a last-resort resource.

General Financial Resources

• • U-M Office of Financial Aid

    • • Detailed information about cost of attendance and instructions on applying for, receiving, and maintaining financial aid.

        • • Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)

            • Continuing students must reapply for financial aid each year.

      • Deadlines for current aid year based on desired term of enrollment, financial aid timelines

  • LSA Returning Student Scholarship- open January 1st to June 1st

    • • The Returning Student Scholarship is a flexible funding option for current LSA students with financial need. Award amounts vary based on each student's individual financial situation, and you can apply for a scholarship every single year.

        • • Must have a FAFSA and CSS profile on file

  • LSA Spring/Summer Scholarship- open January 1st to April 7th

    • • For students who need to take spring/summer courses, LSA’s Spring/Summer Scholarship covers educational expenses such as tuition, room and board, and textbooks.

        • • Must have a FAFSA and CSS on file

  • U-M Library

    • • List of resources for internal and external funding options.

Financial Education and Consultation

• • Tax Resources

    • • My Free Taxes with H&R Block

        • • File state and federal taxes for free

          • Snap-a-pic W-2 import with technical support and help center available

          • Includes Student Loan Interest Deduction

      • Turbotax

        • • Easy to use, file state and federal taxes for free

          • Does not include Student Loan Interest Deduction

      • St. Francis

        • • Will prepare tax returns for individuals earning under $45,000 per year

      • United Way of Washtenaw County

        • • Multiple locations

          • Free tax preparation by appointment

  • Free Financial Consultation/Budgeting

    • • Power, Inc.

        • • Will provide 1:1 consulting services and budgeting workshops

      • Your Money Your Life (U-M OFA)

        • • Financial literacy tips & tools

Housing Resources

• • UM's Beyond the Diag- Off Campus Housing

    • • Beyond the Diag

        • Beyond the Diag is UM's off-campus housing program within the Dean of Students Office. Beyond the Diag was developed to improve off-campus safety resources, communication, and education for UM students.

  • Search for affordable off-campus U-M housing using this search engine

  • U-M On Campus Housing - Living-Learning Programs

    • • Living-Learning programs are an opportunity to live among a cohort of students who share your interests. Students have options of both Theme Communities and Learning Communities. Examples of Living-Learning programs include first gen college students, innovation, gender inclusive, and the health sciences scholars program.

  • HomeShare Program

    • • In the HomeShare Program, older homeowners open their homes to students for a reduced rent in exchange for basic household services such as taking out the trash, bringing in the mail, or assistance with shoveling snow. These services allow the homeowner to remain independent and in their home for as long as possible. The HomeShare Program offers housing across Washtenaw County.

  • Inter-cooperative council at Ann Arbor

    • • The ICC is made up of 16 houses with unique personalities and rich histories. Housing costs are low because there is no landlord making a profit and everyone shares the common space in the house, the work (cooking, cleaning, office work, etc.), and the democratic governance of the house and organization. Some food is included in rental price.

  • Student Legal Services & Rental Tips

    • • SLS is a division of Student Life, and is a full-service law office. The attorneys at SLS can advise you regarding your legal rights and represent you, if needed, in Washtenaw County courts only. It is also possible for the staff to negotiate with various individuals on your behalf (i.e. debt collectors). Gayle Rosen is the attorney that deals with housing.

      • The website provides tips on what to do before signing the lease, eviction, moving in/out, small claims court, tips on subletting, tips to consider during tenancy, tips for staying safe, and security deposits.

  • Worksheet designed to help students determine the best housing situation for them based on budget:

    • • https://finaid.umich.edu/wp-content/uploads/off-campus-wksht.pdf

Sexual Assault/Violence Prevention Services

• • SAPAC

    • • Survivor led support groups

      • Student led workshops and educational opportunities

      • Community resource guide

  • Safehouse Center

    • • Support groups for SA, DV, LGBTQIA, and Life After the Relationship Ends

Transportation Services

• • U-M Magic Bus Schedule

    • • The University's 12 bus routes system is free to the public, and generally operates from about 5:00 AM to about 2:30 AM weekdays (7:00 AM to about 3:00 AM weekends), with reduced hours during spring/summer terms and on holidays

  • Emergency Ride

    • • Six Free Taxi rides can be provided to students on the Ann Arbor Campus per permit year for emergencies. Eligible types of emergencies covered by the program include personal or family illness or injury, unscheduled overtime or other mandatory work-related holdover, or stranded carpool or van-pool riders.

      • To request a ride, call 734-763-1131.

  • Paratransit

    • • If you need short- or long-term assistance in moving about campus due to an injury or disability, Transit Services can help.

  • MRide program

    • • Through the MRide program, any member of the University community with an M-Card can ride the city bus for free