The UC Davis Health Equity Fund is available to help reimburse students who have experienced significant out-of-pocket expenses related to accessing physical or mental healthcare, or to students who have a significant privacy concern as a dependent (e.g., sexual health services). Students can apply for financial assistance in the form of a grant for expenses between $50 and $2,500. Any funds you receive from the Health Equity Fund will be included on your 1098-T tax form. Please consult with a tax professional for any tax related questions.
Please Note: Services must be received while the student is registered at UC Davis. Services received prior to a student's enrollment at UC Davis, after a student has left UC Davis, or while a student is on PELP or Filing Fee are not eligible for assistance through the Health Equity Fund.
If you have questions, please refer to the FAQ below, or contact the Insurance Services department at insurance@shcs.ucdavis.edu.
Application Process
Students must submit a completed application through the Health-e-Messaging system.
- Once logged in, select "Messages"
- Select "New Message"
- Select "Health Equity Fund Application"
- Complete the entire form
- Attach a copy of the completed Health Equity Fund Application, along with a copy of all required documentation (.jpeg or pdf format only)
One or more of the following documents must be included with your application in order for it to be processed:
- A copy of the Explanation of Benefits (EOB) from the insurance company to show what has been covered
- A copy of the bill from the provider of service indicating any outstanding balance for services already received
- A receipt of payment from the provider indicating services have already been rendered
A Student Health Center representative will review your application and supporting documentation to ensure that you have provided the necessary information.
Supplemental Funds
The following funds provide additional monetary support for students. To apply for these supplemental Health Equity funds, please follow the same application process as above.
Arhan Vyas Ambulance Fund
Experiencing a medical emergency is stressful enough, but it can feel even more overwhelming when you're far from home, or without transportation. To support students during such critical moments, the Arhan Vyas Ambulance Fund was established to help cover the cost of ambulance services, ensuring that financial concerns do not stand in the way of urgent medical care.
By removing this financial barrier, this fund seeks to raise awareness about health preparedness among students at UC Davis, empowering them to navigate medical emergencies with greater confidence and support. Through this initiative, we honor Arhan Vyas's memory by fostering a campus community where students' well-being remains a priority.
UC Emergency Mental Health Grant for Students Impacted by the Israel-Palestine Conflict
Students can request an emergency mental health grant to cover off-campus counseling costs related to the ongoing conflict in Palestine and Israel. You must indicate this specific need in your Health Equity Fund application in Health-e-Messaging to access providers of your choice.
FAQs
- Who is eligible to obtain assistance from this grant?
- All graduate and undergraduate students who are currently eligible for services at Student Health and Counseling Services at UC Davis. The student must have no outstanding financial balance with the campus.
- Is there a monetary limit to what can be requested from the grant?
Grants may be requested for expenses that total at least $50 and up to a maximum of $2,500.
There is a finite amount of funds available to be requested. Once the funds have been exhausted, there will be no additional funds granted for the remainder of the academic year.
- What types of services are eligible for assistance?
- The following services are eligible for assistance, but services must be medically necessary:
- In-patient care (includes mental health/substance use)
- Out-patient care (includes mental health/substance use appointments off campus)
- Diagnostic Testing
- Transportation to/from health care visits (ride-share services such as Uber/Lyft, Amtrak, YoloBus)
- Childbirth/Delivery Professional Services
- Childbirth/Delivery Facility Services
- Skilled Nursing
- Out-patient Surgery
- Physician/Surgeon Services
- Imaging Services (MRI/CT/PET scans)
- Durable Medical Equipment
- Hospice Care
- Emergency Medical Transportation
- Hospitalization - What are some examples of services that are generally not covered?
- - Vision care
- Sunglasses
- Orthodontia
- Gas or expenses for travel in a personal automobile
- Electric toothbrushes - How do I obtain a copy of an Explanation of Benefits (EOB)?
- Your insurance company will mail you an EOB unless you have elected to receive your communications from your insurance company electronically. You may also contact your insurance company customer service department to request a copy of your EOB be mailed to you.
- What happens after I submit my application?
- A Student Health Center representative will review your application and supporting documentation to ensure that you have provided the necessary information. They will check your University accounts to ensure there is no outstanding balance. The Student Health Center representative will notify you if your application is complete and will provide this information to the Financial Aid office for payment processing if approved. If you have an outstanding balance or missing information/documentation, the representative will make you aware that they cannot process your application until your University account is paid in full or you provide the required documentation.
- Will I be taxed on this grant?
- Assistance from the Health Equity Fund will be included on your 1098-T form. Included in the 1098-T form are qualified charges that were paid and financial assistance received for the corresponding tax year. Please consult with a tax professional for any tax related questions.
- Who can I ask if I have any questions about this?
- Please contact the Insurance Services office at the Student Health and Wellness Center for any questions about the Health Equity Fund. They can be reached at insurance@shcs.ucdavis.edu