Escape

Jean Nidetch Scholarship

We offer the Jean Nidetch Scholarship to current UNLV undergraduate and graduate students. Awards are available up to $1,250 over the fall and spring semesters, for up to five continuous years, based on the availability of funds. Undocumented and DACA students are encouraged to apply via the Alternate Need Form.

There is no reapplication process. Once the student has the scholarship, as long as they maintain all requirements, they have it until graduation.

Eligibility and Requirements

  • Must be a full-time UNLV undergraduate or UNLV graduate student for the academic year, or a CCSD senior student.
  • Must maintain a minimum GPA of 3.5
  • Must demonstrate financial need, per the submission of FAFSA or the Alternate Need Form to the UNLV Office of Financial Aid & Scholarships.
  • Must enroll in a minimum of 12 undergraduate credits (6-9 graduate credits) during each semester of the award
  • Must submit one letter of recommendation in support of your need, demonstrating how you overcame adversity
  • Must submit a personal statement, two pages in length, addressing a hardship or adversity you have overcome, personal academic achievement, and career aspirations after college
  • All students must meet with the director each semester

Applications are only open from April 1-30 each year.

Apply

Care Survivor Fund

Through funding by CSUN, GPSA, and donations, the Jean Nidetch Care Center provides the Care Survivor Fund (CSF), an emergency survivor fund available to UNLV students who have been financially impacted by sexual violence, relationship violence, family violence, and/or stalking.

How to Apply

  1. Make an appointment with a care advocate or call the Care Line at 702-895-0602 for immediate assistance. In-person appointments are available Monday to Friday from 9 a.m. - 4 p.m.
  2. Your advocate will work with you to identify your immediate and long-term needs through validation, resources, and planning.
  3. If you and your advocate determine that the CSF may help address your financial safety needs, they will work with you to create a financial safety plan and share the CSF application with you.
  4. The next step is to work through the CSF application with your care advocate, who can answer questions and help you determine what your short-term and long-term financial needs are.
  5. Your application will be reviewed by the Care Advocates Elective Board, and a decision will be made within 72 hours. If approved, we will notify you by your preferred contact method. If denied or approved in part, an advocate will walk you through the reasoning and provide alternative options.
  6. Funds will be disbursed to you through the Financial Aid office, but it will bypass any outstanding student fees or balances on your account, so you can access it for your emergency needs.

How the CSF Can Help

The Care Survivor Fund can be used for several emergency needs caused by interpersonal violence; the list is not exhaustive. A care advocate will walk you through options depending on your financial needs. The amount available for each application ranges depending on the need and available funds, but may be up to $1,000.

  • Housing: Emergency moving costs, temporary housing, down payment on a safe place, utilities, or other housing costs that have been impacted by an experience of violence.
  • Medical: Testing, prescriptions, transportation to a sexual assault forensic exam or medical appointments, medical apparatuses such as replacement glasses, hearing aid, inhaler, cane, wheelchair, etc.
  • Legal: Attorney fees, transportation for legal appointments, court fees.
  • Academic: Replacing books, laptops, or other devices damaged or stolen, course or registration fees, transportation fees, or other fees necessary to remain a student.
  • Therapy: Appointments w/specialty therapists off-campus for trauma, identity-specific therapists, therapy-related costs such as transportation or child care.
  • Transportation: Bus pass, appointments, and emergency transportation to leave an unsafe situation.
  • Alternative Healing: Trauma-informed yoga classes, meditation apps or classes, culturally specific healing practices, etc.
  • Courses and Retreats: Virtual or in-person healing retreats specifically for those impacted by domestic/dating/family violence, sexual assault, and stalking.

Contact

Get more information by scheduling an appointment or calling the Care Line at 702-895-0602.