When Yufei He, BSN, RN, was in her second quarter of the University of Washington’s Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing program, she received word that her father had suffered a stroke in China. Working while enrolled in school full time, she did not have enough money to purchase a plane ticket home.
She turned to the UW School of Nursing’s financial aid office, which connected her with the Fathi Emergency Fund for Nursing Students.
“The emergency fund was the one that paid my flight to China,” She said. “It really makes a difference to the students that are receiving it.”
The Fathi Emergency Fund provides immediate financial support to nursing students facing unexpected crises, covering urgent needs such as housing, food, medical expenses, and transportation to clinical sites. The fund helps ensure that a sudden financial hardship does not force a student to leave the program.
“It’s always something happening in our life that’s unexpected,” she said. “Maybe we’re unable to finish school if we don’t have extra support.”
She graduated from the ABSN program in 2025 and is now a registered nurse.
Today, in recognition of Husky Giving Day — the University of Washington’s annual day of giving — the UW School of Nursing is raising money for the Fathi Emergency Fund. Gifts made today are matched 3-to-1. To give, visit our Husky Giving Day webpage.