The UPI-NIU FAST Fund

NIU Students: How to Apply to the UPI-NIU FAST Fund

We have currently run out of funds for FAST Fund grants at this time. We will have more money in the future for student emergencies when we have raised additional funds with our faculty membership. Check this website to see when we have renewed funds.

The FAST Fund (Faculty And Students Together Fund) assists students with emergency costs such as a lack of food, car repairs, medical necessities, job loss/reduction in work hours, or past-due tuition, so that they can continue with their education.

If you are facing an emergency cost that is creating an obstacle for you to continue your education at NIU, please consider an application to the UPI-NIU FAST Fund.  The FAST Fund can offer one grant per calendar year, with support up to $599 depending on your financial need and circumstances. 

How to Donate to the UPI-NIU FAST Fund

Please give generously through the UPI 4100 FAST Fund link. Use the drop-down menu and select NIU account: NIU-F (NIU-Faculty). Because we want the FAST Fund to be an ongoing part of our work of caring for our students, please consider making your gift a monthly donation.

The FAST Fund is administered by our Local, UPI 4100, but it depends entirely upon donations from NIU faculty, staff, and community partners. Compassion and helping our students are expressions of our collective values as unions working toward social justice.

The FAST Fund helps students with problems that create obstacles to continuing their education.  These grants are awards, and do not need to be paid back by students.

​The FAST Fund at NIU is about direct support of Huskie students by faculty and other community members at NIU. It is a joint project of the two University Professionals of Illinois unions at Northern: United Faculty Alliance, the Professors’ labor union; and UPI-NIU Instructors.