ECU Mental Health Services Reimbursement Microgrant Protocol

This program (the Fund) provides for needs that arise as students seek mental health treatment and face financial difficulty. Funds will be used for off-campus and limited on-campus mental health treatment. The funding process begins with completing the application form located below.

Eligibility

The applicant must:

  • be enrolled as an ECU student during the semester in which support is sought and have paid the health service fee.
  • have been enrolled in Spring and Fall semesters of given academic year if seeking services over the summer while not enrolled; services may be sought over winter break if enrolled the preceding Fall semester.
  • use off-campus referral sources that are licensed to practice mental health care in North Carolina or, if referral source is out-of-state, then the source must be licensed to practice mental health care in the state from which services are sought.
  • provide written consent from parent(s) or legal guardian for treatment if student is under the age of 18.

Application Process

  • The application must be completed by the student or by a third party on behalf/with consent of the student such as a friend or family member using the Fund link.

ECU Mental Health Services Reimbursement Microgrant

  • Students applying for this funding must sign a Release of Information authorization form allowing the provider/agency to send invoices to the ECU Center for Counseling and Student Development (CCSD).

Fund Guidelines

  • Approved applicants may receive a maximum of up to $500 per academic year for use toward the payment of qualified mental health services.
  • Amount of support given is based on funding total, not the number of sessions.
  • Submission of an application does not guarantee approval for funding.
  • Approved applications must ensure that all related bills/receipts/invoices are provided to CCSD via email at CCSDECU@ecu.edu.
  • If approved, financial awards will be distributed directly to the service provider in the amount of the student’s insurance co-payment per-session/service total or for providers not accepting the student’s insurance, funding will not exceed the funding maximum per academic year.
  • ECU/CCSD does not endorse, guarantee, or assume responsibility for any services offered by a third-party and are not responsible for any mental health care services between the applicant-student and the provider/referral.
  • ECU/CCSD is not responsible for any late payment fees, penalties, or other fees incurred in the payment for services, even if the funding for the payment is approved through this program and the student’s application is approved. Any additional fees, including any late payment costs and expenses incurred are the responsibility of the student.
  • Scope of approved services may range from crisis to routine follow-ups. Funding may cover providers offering the following services: hospitalization, intensive out-patient treatment, testing, psychiatric evaluation/treatment, medication, counseling, assessment, and specialized mental health care. ECU’s reimbursement of these services through the Fund does not indicate any affiliation, endorsement, or approval of services or treatment sought.
  • Funds will not be distributed directly to students. All approved payments will be made directly to mental health providers/agencies.
  • Distribution of funds will be reported to the ECU Office of Student Financial Aid in accordance with federal regulations. Only the student’s name, Banner ID, and amount of funding will be shared with the financial aid office – no clinical information will be disclosed. The purpose of the disclosure is to comply with federal regulations around financial aid awards.

Review Process

  • All funding decisions, including the amount of any approved funding, are in the full discretion of the Director of CCSD or designee.
  • All applications and application data will be kept confidential to the extent required by law.
  • Decisions on applications for funding will be made as expeditiously as possible (typically within one week).
  • If the applicant is approved for funding, assistance will be distributed either directly to the company or agency where money is owed. Itemized receipts documenting the co-payment total are required.
  • Funding decisions will be based on financial need and will not be made based on protected class, consistent with ECU’s Notice of Non-Discrimination.
  • It is expected that any student applying for funds is doing so in good faith. Anyone found to be making a fraudulent claim will be referred to the Office of Student Rights and Responsibilities for appropriate action under the Student Code of Conduct.