Student Support Resources

• Student Care Fund
• Threat Assessment Response
• Training & Resources

Student Care Fund

Unexpected emergencies and recurring financial hardships can derail a student’s pursuit of academic success at the University of North Carolina Asheville. The Student Care Fund provides up to $500 to assist students facing financial need due to significant, unexpected emergencies such as a family death, serious illness or injury, medical emergencies, sudden job loss, or other urgent life-altering situations. The Office of the Dean of Students also works to connect students with additional community resources that can assist with long-term support and offset living expenses.

Please note: Awards cannot be used to pay tuition, fees, or other university-related charges (e.g., parking fines).

Students are encouraged to apply after exhausting other resources, though all requests will be reviewed. This funding is not intended to replace or supplement existing financial aid and may impact a student’s aid package. Assistance received from the SCF does not have to be repaid; however, students are encouraged, if able, to repay or donate to the fund in the future. Available funding depends solely on donations from the campus community and friends of the University.

Additional guidelines for submission and fund disbursement are listed in the Student Care Fund Application. For assistance completing the application or for other questions related to it, please contact us at dos@unca.edu.

Apply To The Student Care Fund

How to Support the Student Care Fund

The Student Care Fund is supported entirely by donations from the University of North Carolina Asheville campus community, including students, families, faculty, staff, alumni, and valued friends of the University. Ongoing contributions of any amount sustain this fund and allow our campus to support students during critical times of need in their college experience. Any support you are able to provide is greatly appreciated.

Donate To The Student Care Fund

CARE Team and Threat Assessment Response

The Campus Assessment, Response, and Education (CARE) Team is an interdisciplinary unit that works collaboratively to provide intervention, resources, and assistance to students who are struggling with their success at UNC Asheville.

College is a time of continual growth and transition, and some of these transitions and life events may spark personal crises that inhibit a student’s personal and academic success. The CARE Team partners with faculty, staff, students, parents, and families to address these concerns and ensure the health and safety of all our students. Members of the Team include representatives from the Dean of Students Office, Residence Life, Academic Success, Accessibility, Campus Safety, and the Health and Counseling Center.

If you are concerned about your student and are not sure which office or department would best help you address the concern, please complete the Student Support Referral Form as soon as possible.

Training  & Resources

Stepped Care Model for Campus Wellbeing

UNC Asheville has adopted a Stepped Care framework for campus wellbeing. This framework, adapted from Dr. Peter Cornish’s Stepped Care 2.0 model, is an evidence-based approach to supporting student wellbeing in ways that are effective, yet least resource-intensive. The Stepped Care Model emphasizes preventative, interdisciplinary care; promotes student autonomy and help-seeking behavior; and encourages community connection.

The Stepped Care Model is founded on the following beliefs:

• Students should feel supported by staff, faculty, and fellow students.
• Students require varying levels and avenues of care. Care is not linear, and one size does not fit all.
• Care is co-designed and continuously being improved.
• Students are active participants in the change process.
• Moving from lower to higher levels of care based on need and minimal assessment often increases effectiveness and lowers the need for intensive intervention.

We invite all members of the University of North Carolina Asheville community to explore the Stepped Care Model for Campus Wellbeing and utilize it as a resource for information, guidance, and reflection.

View the Stepped Care Model for Campus Wellbeing

The Office of the Dean of Students is also available to provide in-depth training on the Stepped Care Model for faculty, staff, and students. These trainings include:

• Identifying students who are experiencing varying levels of distress, disruption, or emergency
• Ways to encourage students to connect to resources that align with their needs
• The Student Support Referral and follow-up process
• Time to address specific questions, concerns, and experiences with students

If you would like to schedule an overview of the Stepped Care Model for Campus Wellbeing or an in-depth workshop on how the model can support your work and department, please contact us at dos@unca.edu.

QPR Suicide Prevention Training

QPR stands for Question, Persuade, and Refer — the three simple steps anyone can learn to help save a life from suicide

Just as people trained in CPR and the Heimlich Maneuver help save thousands of lives each year, people trained in QPR learn how to recognize the warning signs of a suicide crisis and how to question, persuade, and refer someone to help. Each year, thousands of Americans, are saying “Yes” to saving the life of a friend, colleague, sibling, or neighbor.

QPR Gatekeeper training sessions are between 1 and 1.5 hours long. To request a QPR training session, please contact the Office of the Dean of Students at dos@unca.edu.