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Emergency Financial Assistance Programs

The International Center has limited resources for international students who need financial assistance to meet short-term expenses. Students are also encouraged to speak with their schools and academic departments regarding any school-based financial aid. Resources include:

  • The Oliver Chapman Fund that provides small cash grants for international undergraduate students on financial aid with unexpected expenses
  • The Friends of the International Center Fund that provides small cash grants for international students experiencing unexpected financial hardship and who are not eligible for Chapman Funding
  • The Laila Fund which provides short-term loans for international students at any Tufts campus
  • Off-campus economic hardship employment options based on your visa and immigration status.

For more information, contact the International Center.

Oliver Chapman Fund

Oliver Chapman

The Oliver Chapman Fund was established to honor the memory of Oliver Chapman (E '92), an undergraduate student from Panama who passed away in May of 1992. Oliver had many friends within the international community and was always ready to help others. While at Tufts, Oliver was involved with the International Orientation Program and served as an International Student Host Advisor. Oliver’s family and friends contributed to the establishment of this fund and over the years, many students have benefited from its existence.  The fund assists international undergraduate scholarship students with needs that cannot be met by their financial aid packages.

Fund Type Small awards (averaging $200 - $500); awards are intended to supplement students' personal resources
Who Can Apply?

International undergraduate students in Arts and Sciences, Engineering, and SMFA who are receiving international undergraduate financial aid
What Kinds of Needs Are Supported?

The Fund prioritizes requests from students who have financial needs that are urgent, unusual, or unexpected in nature, such as emergency medical or dental costs not covered by Tufts insurance; unusually high course or laboratory fees; assistance with winter clothing and supplies; urgent housing issues; assistance with replacement of items lost to fire or theft; etc. The Fund may also support students presented with academic enrichment opportunities (e.g., internships) that they cannot avail through personal resources alone. Because funds are limited, Chapman Funds will not be issued to support international travel to and from campus. Chapman Funds also cannot support expenses following completion of your academic program.

Testimonials from Students

[…] During my first semester at Tufts, I had an appendectomy. It could not come at a worse time as I was also taking one of the hardest/most demanding classes in the Computer Science Department. While the insurance covered most of the costs, the co-pay was still very high for me (I was on full financial aid) and I would have gone into debt as a result of it. I was very lucky when the International Center stepped in to cover my hospital bills through the Chapman Fund.

- Student from Kenya, Arts & Sciences

During my final year at Tufts, I had to decrease the number of hours I worked per week to make time for final year projects and job applications. I didn’t have any other source of income, so I couldn’t afford to buy books for the final semester. I talked to the International Center about my situation and I was offered the Chapman Fund which not only helped me pay for the textbooks but also helped cover travelling expenses for job interviews.

- Student from Lesotho, Engineering

  1. Access the online Oliver Chapman Fund Application by accessing the Request Center on the International Center Portal and provide as many details about your situation and need as possible. Open the link using one of the following browsers: Internet Explorer, Firefox, or Chrome.
  2. Your application will be reviewed within five business days. Upon review, you will be emailed a decision at your Tufts email address. The email will include information on the following steps.
  3. If your application is approved, you will be notified to pick up the check at the International Center. Checks are usually available for pick-up within 2 weeks.

Please note that applications for the Chapman Fund are decided on a case-by-case basis by a review committee. Your application may be denied if there are non-qualifying circumstances or if your application does not provide proof of expenses or other required information. Please be aware that due to the fund's limitations, first-time applicants are given priority consideration.

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Laila Moshiri Yazdi Memorial Fund

The Laila Moshiri Yazdi Memorial Fund honors Iranian-born Tufts student, Laila Moshiri Yazdi, who was due to graduate with a BA in History in May, 1982. Laila was fatally struck by an automobile on April 24, 1982. Laila’s father, Mohammad Moshiri Yazdi, contributed her tuition to establish the fund in her honor in February, 1983.

The Laila Fund assists international students studying at Tufts who find themselves in need of short-term emergency loans. Loan amounts are determined on a case-by-case basis. Requests must be made directly to the International Center following the instructions below. Applicants are limited to one use of the fund per semester, and each loan must be repaid before a new loan can be granted.

Fund Type 90-day short-term loan up to $500
Who Can Apply?

Any international student in good standing at Tufts

 

  1. Complete the online Laila Moshiri Yazdi Fund Application by accessing the Request Center on the International Center Portal and provide as many details about your situation and need as possible. Open the link using one of the following browsers: Internet Explorer, Firefox, or Chrome.
  2. Your application will be reviewed within 1-2 business days. Upon review, you will be emailed a decision at your Tufts email address, along with information on the following steps.
  3. If your application is approved, you will be notified to pick up the check at Student Services. Checks are usually available for pick-up within 3 business days.

Please note that applications for the Laila Fund are decided on a case-by-case basis. The International Center may deny the request based on non-qualifying circumstances or failure to provide proof of expenses or other required information. All Laila loans must be repaid within a 90-day period.

Friends of the International Center Fund

The Friends of the International Center Fund provides small emergency grants to international students on F-1 and J-1 visas experiencing unexpected financial hardship. The fund is intended as a supplement to the Oliver Chapman Fund, which is restricted to international undergraduate students (on F-1 / J-1 visas) who are receiving Tufts financial aid. Both undergraduate and graduate students in good standing may apply. Funds may not be used for post-graduation expenses or by students who qualify for and/or receive Chapman Fund support.

Fund Type Small grants (typically in the $200 - $500 range)
Who Can Apply?

Any Tufts international student in F-1 or J-1 status who is in good academic standing

 

Contact your International Center advisor for more information.

Employment-Based Options

F-1 and J-1 students facing economic hardship may be eligible for off-campus employment due to severe, unforeseen economic hardship.

  • F-1 Severe Economic Hardship Employment (requires recommendation from the International Center and application to US Citizenship and Immigration Services)
  • J-1 Unforeseen Economic Hardship Employment (contact the International Center or your J-1 visa sponsor for more information)

Other Tufts Resources

The FIRST Resource Center provides assistance for undergraduate students experiencing financial hardship, including resources for unexpected hardship, as well as free printing stations and a used book depository.

Graduate students should speak with their schools and departments about any school-based financial resources, such as on-campus jobs or temporary loans. The International Center will maintain links to existing resources as they become available.