These options are available to students outside of the financial aid awards granted through JMU's Financial Aid and Scholarships department. If you are looking for information about financial aid, scholarships, grants, or managing your financial aid package, please visit the Financial Aid website or contact Financial Aid at fin_aid@jmu.edu, 540-568-7820, or on the 5th floor of the Student Success Center.

 

The University Business Office (UBO) administers the Don Gardner Emergency Loan to help students in circumstances beyond their control or unforeseen expenses. For instance, if your car breaks down or you need to buy a plane ticket to attend a funeral for a family member, you can apply for a loan. All current full-time students are eligible. 


Who do I contact?

You can contact the University Business Office by emailing at ubo@jmu.edu, visiting UBO on the 5th floor of the Student Success Center, or by calling 540-568-6505 and they will assist you. 


What is the maximum loan? 

The maximum loan is $1,000. 


How do I receive the loan?

The funds are distributed through a student’s BankMobile Disbursements refund preference. 


How long do I have to repay the loan?

 The loan must be repaid within 90 days or by the end of the semester, whichever comes first. If the loan is not repaid on time, there is interest, but none is assessed during the original period. 

The Donald E. Gardner Book Voucher was created specifically for students who have a financial hardship and cannot purchase books during the first week of classes. To be eligible for a book voucher you must be receiving Title IV funds as part of your financial aid award and have enough guaranteed financial aid to pay the charges on your student account.

Staff in the Office of Financial Aid & Scholarships offer financial literacy coaching for students on topics such as monthly budgeting, student employment, and student loans. Stop by Financial Aid on the 5th floor of the Student Success Center, email fin_aid@jmu.edu, or call 540-568-7820 to discuss your needs—they’ll connect you with the right staff member for support.

Unexpected situations can happen to anyone. The Student Emergency Fund is designed to help students facing a sudden financial hardship that may impact their well-being or ability to continue their education. 
 
Please note: Student Emergency Funds cannot be used to pay tuition, parking or traffic tickets, loan payments, or to purchase a laptop. If you need a laptop, JMU offers a laptop loan program, and we can help connect you to that resource. Please contact the Office of the Dean of Students for assistance.
You may be eligible for assistance if you are currently enrolled at JMU and experiencing a financial emergency caused by circumstances such as:
  • A housing crisis or risk of losing housing
  • Food insecurity
  • Unexpected medical expenses
  • Emergency travel needs
  • Loss of income or financial support
  • Other unforeseen financial hardships
To be considered for assistance, students will typically need to:
  • Be enrolled at least part-time in a degree-seeking program
  • Demonstrate a financial need related to an unexpected situation
  • Provide documentation when available (such as an eviction notice, medical bill, police report, repair estimate, etc.)
  • Explore other available resources and support options 

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Student Support Hub
The Union (Warren Hall)
170 Bluestone Drive
Room 205 H-L
Harrisonburg, Virginia 22807