Financial Support & Resources

WPI is a community that cares—in many, many ways. If you’re experiencing financial concerns or food insecurity, help is available. The Dean of Students office, the Office of Financial Aid, the Division of Talent & Inclusion, and other partners can provide resources for students and employees, as well. Learn more about Emergency Assistance and Special Circumstances.

CONTACT
Office Location: Main Level
Phone: 508-831-5201
Fax: 508-831-5581

Help with Food Insecurity

Food insecurity is a concern in every community—including on college campuses. If you do not have enough food or you’re concerned about your food security, we can help in several ways. Contact us confidentially:

  • Email food@wpi.edu so we can learn about what you need and figure out how to help.
  • Click here to apply to quickly get ten free meal swipes. You can also scan the code on posters all around campus. 

If there’s food remaining after meetings or events on campus, we’ll email the freefood@wpi.edu alias the specifics of the location of the food. It’s a win-win: you get fed and the campus reduces food waste! Contact the Dean of Students office at dean_of_students@wpi.edu  for help and to get added to the email list.

 

Preview

DoughClub offers two Food Pantry's for Students: 

The DoughClub’s role on campus is to help solve food insecurity. WPI and Thrive have partnered to open a food pantry for WPI students and general community members at 100 Grove Street (next to The Fix Restaurant). Learn about the students who helped make this a reality, and come check it out:

  • The Innovation Studio food pantry is for students who need a quick bite. 
  • The Thrive food pantry is open Tuesdays and Thursdays, 10:00am – 1:00pm. 
  • You’ll be asked to complete a simple one-time survey, and then you can take a bag and take the food you need. 

Dean of Students Student Emergency Loan Fund

The Peter S. Hull Memorial Fund is administered by the Dean of Students Office and provides immediate short-term loans to WPI students in emergencies or unforeseen situations. Loans are generally in the amount of $25 - $300 and are expected to be repaid within 30 days. Students sign a promissory note committing to repayment, which allows the limited funds to stay in regular circulation, providing for a maximum number of loans to students in need.

Contact the Dean of Students Office staff at dean_of_students@wpi.edu for additional information. 

Gapontsev Family Support Fund

In light of the current Ukrainian and Russian war, the Gapontsev Family Support Fund has been created to assist those impacted by this ongoing war. In addition to this, the WPI Student Disaster Relief Fund has also been created to assist those students impacted by other tragic events worldwide. These events have placed unexpected financial pressure on our students, some of whom now struggle to cover costs associated with an unexpected departure from campus; technology to support learning; loss of income from employment or family funding; the need for safe, secure temporary housing; and other consequences of the ongoing situation that impacts them personally. Apply here

The WPI Financial Assistance Fund

WPI has demonstrated multiple times that it is a community that cares. WPI offers financial resources to assist our WPI community members who encounter an unforeseen financial hardship, emergency or catastrophic event.

The number of people who can be assisted by the WPI Emergency Assistance Fund and the Student Elevation Fund are subject to the availability of funds. These funds are not intended to be used for routine expenses, or as a consistent supplement to an individual’s funding sources; individual Emergency Assistance Fund grants are generally capped at $1,000 each and Student Elevation Fund grants vary depending on need. Requests must be urgent and unexpected in nature.

Awards will be considered one-time distributions with no expectation of repayment. Amounts will be determined on a case by case basis. Representatives from the Dean of Students, Talent & Inclusion, University Advancement and/or our Financial Aid offices will be coordinating these efforts.

Individuals must complete the Financial Assistance Fund Request form in order to be considered for funding.

Individuals may also be referred to other sources of assistance that may be more appropriate to their circumstances.