History:

The Quinney College of Natural Resources Emergency Medical Fund was established by Tammy Wilson, a doctoral student in the Department of Wildland Resources at Utah State University. In September 2005, Tammy was seriously injured while riding a bicycle. She broke her back and surgery was required to repair the injury. Many friends within the college began raising money to help pay her medical costs. Fortunately, Tammy’s medical care was covered by Workers Compensation. The money raised to cover Tammy’s medical expenses ($3,725.48) was instead donated, establishing the Emergency Medical Fund. Fundraising efforts since 2005 have supplemented these initial funds. Students with outstanding medical debt that imposes a financial burden are eligible for assistance from the fund.

Requirements:

1. The Emergency Medical Fund is available to graduate students in the Quinney College of Natural Resources or graduate students in the Ecology Center in good standing with their respective colleges, departments, and, if applicable, the Ecology Center.
   
   
2. There is no limit to the amount of funding that may be administered to cover medical expenses, though amounts are limited by funds available in the EMF account. Expenses may include, but are not limited to: medical bills, medications, physical therapy, occupational therapy, psychological counseling, transportation for treatment, housing during treatment or other expenses associated with complete recovery. Medical expenses incurred are defined broadly to include spouses, partnerships, and/or declared dependents. Students in financially dependent partnerships (married or relationships where partners depend on one another financially) must disclose the partnership’s total annual income in the application.
   
   
3. To be eligible, medical expenses must be incurred while enrolled as a student in QCNR or the Ecology Center. The application for this scholarship must be submitted within one year of the diagnosis as stated on the applicant’s first medical bill. A person is still eligible if they have graduated and all of the above conditions have been met. However, the new income of the graduate will be taken into consideration. Students with pre-existing conditions that meet the above criteria also qualify for this fund.
   
   
4. Applicants are permitted to file multiple applications originating from separate and unrelated medical claims. Additionally, applicants are permitted to submit applications for previously considered or awarded claims for additional expenses incurred while a student. Applications for previously considered or awarded claims must be adjusted to reflect current financial expenses and will not include costs that have already been paid.
   
   
5. If an applicant is injured while on campus, while working in their student/Research Assistantship/university staff role, or at a university-sponsored event, they should apply to Workers Comp before applying to the EMF. Katelyn Richins can help students with this process.

Required Application Documents:

Potential recipients submit an application, detailing their medical and financial situation. Additional required documents to submit along with the application include:

1. Most recent W-2 (if applicant is a first-year graduate student, provide a university contract and all previous pay stubs) and claims of additional income;
   
   
2. Finalized insurance claims (including explanation of benefits);
   
   
3. Itemized medical bills and completed Itemized Bill Spreadsheet;
   
   
4. Letter submitted to insurance company for financial assistance and response from insurance company;
   
   
5. Other receipts documenting expenses (e.g., child care expenses during recovery) the applicant considers relevant to explain the situation. Receipts should be presented with an explanation of their relevance to the claim. Consideration of these expenses in the final allocated amount are subject to the discretion of the review committee;
   
   
6. Applicants must include all relevant information regarding medical expenses; any sensitive information will be redacted according to HIPAA compliance.

Application Materials

Process:

1. Applications must be submitted to USU’s Insurance Coordinator, currently Katelyn Richins (see contact information below), within one year of the diagnosis as stated on the applicant’s first medical bill. Contact Katelyn to coordinate submitting an application.
   
   
2. Completed applications will be reviewed a committee consisting of members of the Graduate Student Council. Funding decisions will be decided by group consensus. The QCNR Associate Dean for Graduate Studies will approve the funding amount. The committee reserves the right to request additional information from the applicant.
   
   
3. Applications will be reviewed as they are submitted, and applicants should expect a response within 2 weeks of submission of all required documents. The funding amount administered will depend on the funds available.

Contact Information:

Katelyn Richins (USU Student Health & Wellness)
Email: katelyn.richins@usu.edu
Phone: (435) 797-3505