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Flood Assistance Resources for International Students and Scholars

Financial Assistance

FEMA – Federal Emergency Management Agency

International students and scholars are not eligible for assistance through FEMA unless you, your spouse, or your child is a U.S. citizen or permanent resident. If this is the case, you may apply for assistance at:
http://www.fema.gov/news/event.fema?id=3023

State of Iowa Flood Assistance

International students and scholars who reside in Johnson County, which includes Iowa City and Coralville and several area towns, are not eligible for assistance from the State of Iowa because Johnson County has been designated as a disaster area by the federal government. The same is true for many other Iowa Counties, including Linn (Cedar Rapids). If you do NOT live in a county designated as a federal disaster area, you may check the following website about State of Iowa assistance:
http://flood2008.iowa.gov

Iowa City Crisis Center

The Crisis Center of Iowa City is administering an emergency assistance program in conjunction with United Way of Johnson County. The immediate emphasis is to help with costs involved in moving, storage, health and medical care, and other immediate unmet needs. To apply for assistance, an appointment MUST be made in advance, and such appointments are already backed up two weeks into the future. Please call 351-0140 to arrange an appointment. International students and scholars are eligible for this assistance. You may also view their website at: http://www.unitedwayjc.org

Also, the Crisis Center has its normal forms of assistance available, which include the Crisis Hotline providing emotional support services (also 351-0140), and the Food Bank. Students, scholars, and families affected by the flood may find the support offered by the Food Bank particularly useful – families and individuals may pick up nonperishable supplementary food items once each week; such items generally include boxes of cereal, canned fruits, vegetables, and meats, boxes of pasta, with special dietary items often available by request as well as diapers. Food distribution occurs between noon-4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday at 1121 Gilbert Court, Iowa City. You may also view their website at:
http://www.jccrisiscenter.org

University of Iowa Office of Student Financial Aid Flood Assistance

The Office of Student Financial Aid is overseeing the money from the recently established flood donation fund. UI students who have been displaced by the flood, meaning who were forced to vacate their housing, whether for a brief or long period of time, are eligible. A $500 grant is available, as well as a $500 special short term loan that will have to be repaid by August first at 0% interest - students may qualify for one or both types of assistance. International students in F-1 and J-1 status should come to OISS to apply and ask to see adviser Lee Seedorff, who will assist you with the application process. Generally Lee is available from 8-12 and 1-3:30, but you may wish to call head to make sure she will be available. Please bring your checkbook with you – we will need the account numbers to set up a direct deposit for financial aid (this is different than payroll direct deposit) to ensure you receive the money quickly, otherwise it will take over a week to have a check issued and mailed.

Office of International Students and Scholars Emergency Assistance Fund

The OISS, as always, has a small amount of funding available in its Emergency Assistance Fund program for international students in F-1 and J-1 student status. Students who have been significantly impacted by the flood, who received assistance from both the UI Financial Aid fund and who also applied for assistance at the Crisis Center, and who still have qualifying expenses not covered by those types of assistance, may come back to OISS to apply for additional assistance. We ask that you bring documentation showing what assistance you received from Financial Aid and the Crisis Center, and also bring documentation and/or receipts to show what your remaining expenses are. Ask to see adviser Lee Seedorff, who will assist you with the application process. Generally Lee is available from 8-12 and 1-3:30, but you may wish to call head to make sure she will be available.

University of Iowa Short Term Loan Program

International students in F-1 and J-1 student status at the University of Iowa are eligible to apply for short term loans from the University of Iowa in amounts up to $2000. Repayment is flexible and must be paid off within one year, with an interest rate of 4% assessed. Applications are made through the OISS. Please fill out the short term loan form and bring it to meet with an OISS adviser during walk-in hours. You will then be able to go to the Office of Student Financial Aid two business days later to complete the loan. Loan amounts may be applied directly to the UBill, deposited directly to a bank account, or both. J-1 scholars are not eligible for this unless they are also registered students.

University Resources

Campaign to Organize Graduate Students (COGS) and Affiliated Assistance

UI graduate students affected by the flood who need assistance with temporary housing, laundry, computer access, short-term childcare, cleaning supplies, clothes, furniture, bedding, kitchen wares, and kids’ toys will soon be able to access an interactive blog site co-sponsored by COGS, the Graduate Student Senate, Executive Council of Graduate and Professional Students, and the Graduate College. As of this time the blog site is not yet live, but in the meantime international students may contact COGS at 337-5074 or cogs@cogs.org for help. (Undergrads in need of assistance may be able to receive help as well; you can at least try.)

Counseling Services

Flood Assistance for J-1 Visiting Scholars

J-1 scholars in any category (short term, specialists, or professors/researchers) are eligible for assistance, regardless of whether you are paid by the University or not. If not on the UI payroll, you do need to have been assigned a complimentary appointment by your sponsoring department (this is normal procedure so should have been done) and you should have received a HawkID and password.
Go to the site http://www.uiowa.edu/floodrecovery/uihelp.html . A Hawk ID and password are required to enter the site. Faculty and staff requesting financial support from the flood fund will be asked to schedule a confidential appointment to meet with an eligibility coordinator. Appointments will be available beginning Monday, July 7 and can be scheduled by visiting the UI Flood Assistance Request Page or by calling 3UI-FUND (384-3863).

Housing Information for Displaced Students, Faculty, and Staff

UI Flood Exchange

To list needs like cleaning supplies, furniture, or someone to help move or clean, visit http://www.uiowa.edu/floodrecovery/uihelp.html.

UI Nationality Organizations

University of Iowa Flood Information Website

    Flood information relating to the UI. Cancellations, Cambus schedules, parking information, summer classes, housing, etc.
    http://uiflood.blogspot.com

Community Resources

American Red Cross - Grant Wood Chapter

Possibly may be able to assist with financial as well as household supply needs such as sheets, towels, cleaning supplies, etc. and in some cases with first month’s rent if no insurance. They currently have a special flood assistance office open in Sycamore Mall, Iowa City, but it is unclear how long the office will remain open. Recommended to call the Iowa City branch office at 337-2119 to verify hours and location.
http://grantwood-redcross.org

General Community Resources

For information on local resources for clothing, furniture, food assistance, medical assistance please see the “I Need Help!” handout at http://international.uiowa.edu/oiss/documents/Need-Help.pdf

Hope United Methodist Church

Hope United Methodist Church is collecting items to be distributed to the families directly affected by the Iowa River flood. Hope Church is on the Court Hill Iowa City bus route and is located just a few blocks west of Scott Boulevard.
More Information >>

Local Government Flood Resource and Information Sites