Funding and assistance

Pack Provisions provides access to necessities such as food, hygiene items, and more. All members of the University of Nevada, Reno can obtain both perishable and non-perishable food items through Pack Provisions at no cost, no questions asked.

ASUN Pack Provisions

The GSA Childcare Scholarship is designed to help promote new applicants, graduation rates, and retention rates for graduate students who have children. The Graduate Student Association provides supplemental assistance to a limited number of students to help offset the cost of childcare based on the availability of funds. A GSA-appointed committee will review applications, and scholarships will be selected based on the availability of funds. The maximum scholarship amount is $500.00.

Submissions for the GSA Childcare Scholarship will open on August 1, 2023. Review of new applications will begin September 1, 2023.

Childcare Scholarship Application

Eligibility

To qualify for a GSA Childcare Scholarship, students must be enrolled in at least nine graduate credits per semester or at least six credits with a graduate assistantship. Students must have and maintain a minimum 3.0-grade point average. Award recipients will be selected based on financial need. Work-study and outside employment will be taken into consideration. Priority will be given to first-time applicants, those enrolled in more credits, single-income families, and those with the greatest financial need. Students will be eligible for up to two semesters while completing a master's degree, and up to four semesters while completing a doctoral degree; a new application must be submitted each semester. Children must be enrolled in a licensed childcare facility or licensed in-home provider. 

Application instructions

Applicants must fill out the GSA Childcare Scholarship Application in its entirety. Applications must also include a short essay explaining the need for the award.

Disbursal of scholarships

GSA Childcare Scholarships will be disbursed by the Financial Aid office. It is the responsibility of the applicant to meet with the Financial Aid office to determine the impact of this award on any current or future financial aid.

The Graduate Student Association's Computer Loan Program offers 10-month loans of $500 to $1,500 for computer equipment purchased by graduate students from the University's Wolf Shop or an off-campus retailer of your choice. All loans must be repaid within 12 calendar months.

Computer Loan application

Eligibility

To qualify for a GSA Computer Loan, students must meet the following criteria:

• Students carry a full-time course load (9 credits, or 6 credits with a graduate assistantship). Students must also have and maintain a 3.0-grade point average.
• At least one year remaining to graduation, at time of application.
• Demonstrate a reliable source of income with which to repay the loan.

Application process

Students must fill out the application form in its entirety. Applications will be reviewed by the Director of the Graduate Student Association and may require an in-person meeting.

All computer loans granted by GSA are contingent upon final approval by the University Controller's Office. Applications must be filled out completely to be considered. If you are notified of any problems with your application, you will have three working days to rectify the situation.

Step 1: Verify eligibility

To verify eligibility, your Graduate Advisor is required to submit a letter verifying your approximate graduation date. You may optionally use the following template and ask your advisor to review and sign.

Step 2: Apply

Submit the GSA Computer Loan Application form along with the signed letter from your advisor.

• Once you submit your online application, please allow 5-7 days to receive a response on the status and/or decision of your application. 

Step 3: Submit documentation to obtain funds and complete your purchase

If you've been approved and you have received your Letter of Approval and the Computer Quote Form, you may now submit a quote and request funds for the purchase of your equipment.

1. If purchasing a computer from the University Wolf Shop:
   Please email your completed Computer Quote form as well as the GSA Letter of Approval to the Student Loans Office at loans@unr.edu.
   
   See a list of computers currently available for purchase through the University Wolf Shop.  If you don’t find what you’re looking for, the Wolf Shop can likely order it for you. It can be shipped to the Wolf Shop or to your home address.
   
   If you are purchasing from the University Wolf Shop, the turnaround time for signing your promissory note and retrieving your computer is typically one business day.
   
   
2. If purchasing a computer from an off-campus retailer:
   Please email a screenshot from the retailer’s website of the cost and item specifications as well as the GSA Letter of Approval to the Student Loans Office at loans@unr.edu. A check will be issued to you to be picked up in the Cashier’s Office. You will have 15 days from the time you receive funds to submit receipts to the Loans Office as proof of purchase. This process can take 2-3 weeks. 
   
   If you are not on campus, you may submit forms to the Loan Office by emailing them to loans@unr.edu. You will then be mailed a promissory note that you must have notarized and return.

The Financial Crisis Grant Program is sponsored and funded by the University of Nevada, Reno Graduate Student Association to offer financial relief to the University of Nevada, Reno graduate students experiencing a sudden and unexpected financial crisis for which no other sources of assistance are available. The goal of this program is to keep in school those students who might otherwise have to withdraw. One-time grants of up to $1000 may be awarded to eligible students.

 Submissions will open on August 1, 2023. Review of new applications will begin September 1, 2023.

Financial Crisis Grant Application

Eligibility

To qualify for a GSA Financial Crisis Grant, students must carry a full-time course load (9 credits, or 6 credits with a graduate assistantship). Students must be enrolled in courses for the semester in which they are applying. Students must also have and maintain a 3.0 grade point average. The Financial Crisis Grant can only be utilized once during a student's academic career. Graduate Students enrolled in the following programs are ineligible for the GSA Financial Crisis Grant, Medical School, Justice Management and Judicial Studies, and online programs. Undergraduate students are also ineligible to apply for the GSA Financial Crisis Grant, undergraduate students should complete a Student Help Request through The Dean of Students Office.

Qualifying criteria

The GSA Financial Crisis Grant Program is intended to be used as a last resort when it is clear that no other sources of aid are available. It is not intended to relieve financial hardship that should have or could have, been foreseen and budgeted. Eligible circumstances include, but are not limited to:

• Unavoidable homelessness/destitution
• Serious illness of an uninsured dependent child or spouse.

The loss of employment and inability to pay tuition, rent, or utilities do not meet the qualification criteria for receiving this grant. 

Application instructions

Students must fill out the application form in its entirety, attaching a supporting letter and any related documents. Applications will be reviewed by the Director of the Graduate Student Association and may require an in-person meeting.

Disbursal of grants

GSA Financial Crisis Grants will be disbursed in the form of a check by the University Cashier's Office. It is the responsibility of the applicant to meet with the Financial Aid office to determine the impact of this award on any current or future financial aid.

This loan program is to provide assistance for incoming international graduate students to make the transition from their home countries to living in Reno.  There are multiple hidden and otherwise unexpected expenses to be met in this transitional period and the focus and intent of the program are to provide assistance in obtaining set-up expenses. Students may apply for up to $500 in funding. All loans must be repaid within one academic year (10 months).

Transitional loan application

Eligibility

To qualify for an International Student Transitional Loan, students must meet the following criteria:

• Be a currently accepted incoming international graduate student who will receive a regular University paycheck (through a job or assistantship)
• At least one year remaining to graduation, at time of application.
• Agree to repayment through monthly payroll deduction of $50 per month.

Application process

Students must fill out the application form in its entirety. Applications will be reviewed by the GSA Senior Advisor. 

Submit the GSA International Student Transitional Loan application form which must include

• A short description of how the loan will benefit you and how the funds will be utilized; 
• Acceptance letter from the University of Nevada, Reno's master’s or Ph.D. program;
• Letter of support from Graduate Program Advisor/Graduate Program Faculty member;
• Offer letter of employment and supervisor’s contact information.

Important information

All loans granted by the GSA are contingent upon final approval by the University Controller's Office and Financial Aid Office. Applications must be filled out completely to be considered. If you are notified of any problems with your application, you will have three working days to rectify the situation.

No interest will be charged for this loan as long as the borrower remains current with scheduled installments and is an enrolled graduate student at the University of Nevada, Reno.