Sexual Violence Assistance Fund
The purpose of the sexual violence assistance fund is to provide financial support to OSU students who have experienced sexual violence (i.e. sexual assault, and/or intimate/dating/domestic abuse). Funds will be used to supplement, not replace, existing sources of financial support, such as Victims of Crime Compensation, health insurance, the Margaret Herlan Busch Student Assistance Fund, etc.
Any OSU student who has alleged to a university official that they have experienced sexual violence can apply for assistance. A police report is not necessary in order to access the funds.
This fund was created with the support of the Office of Student Life, Undergraduate Student Government and Womyn and Allies Rising in Resistance.
Eligibility for Funding:
- Currently enrolled OSU students are eligible to apply for funding if they allege to a university official that they have experienced sexual violence.
- Eligibility for funds will be determined on a case-by-case basis by Student Wellness Center staff in consultation with other university officials as appropriate.
- Each request will be evaluated based on all relevant considerations, including but not limited to: demonstrated need, the nature and extent of the support requested, accompanying documentation, and the availability of alternative university or community resources or sources of funding.
- First priority will be given to requests for funding relating to medical care or treatment.
- There is a $500 maximum cap per case
Qualifying Expenses
- Qualifying requests for funding may include, but are not limited to:
- o Replacement items (e.g. bedding and clothing).
- o Books
- o Alarms
- o Uncovered, documented medical costs related to the incident(s)
- o Cell phones with pre-paid minutes
- o Transportation needs (e.g. cab fare, gas cards or bus tickets)
- o Costs for assistance with obtaining protection orders, terminating a lease (if Student Legal Services, Inc. is not involved), filing for Victims of Crime Compensation, etc.
- o Emergency Housing - e.g. assistance with rent, cost of short-term stay in residence hall or other location
Process:
- To initiate a request for funding, students must submit an application form to the Student Wellness Center Sexual Violence and EducationCoordinator, Brieanne Billman (billman.20@osu.edu).
- A student may request assistance up to the maximum cap of $500 per case. Each request will be independently considered.
- The funding of requests is not guaranteed and may vary based on each individual student's situation, assessment of need, and the availability of funds.
- Students may be asked to provide documentation of their financial need and/or provide permission to verify their status with other financial sources (e.g. Victims of Crime Compensation).
- Information pertaining to a request for funding will be kept confidential to the extent feasible.