The devastating January 2025 LA wildfires severely impacted the Caltech and JPL community. The International Offices are utilizing the Ingrid S. Gumpel Endowed Fund to support emergency needs of international students and scholars on campus and at Lab. The Gumpel Fund Disaster Relief Supplement is intended to help with U.S. immigration related expenses that international students and scholars may have incurred as a direct cause of the Eaton or Palisades fire. This funding is distinct from the Caltech and JPL Disaster Relief Fund.
International student and scholar beneficiaries ["beneficiaries"] must be supported by and included in the roster of International Scholar Services, International Student Programs, or the JPL International Office.
Beneficiaries must have been active students or held active appointments on January 7, 2025, in one of the following classifications:
- Caltech undergraduate students, graduate students, visiting student researchers, special students, VURP, postdoctoral scholars, visitors, visiting associates, staff, and faculty.
- JPL nondegree students, postdoctoral scholars, visiting postdoctoral scholars, volunteers, distinguished visiting scientists, visiting researchers, and temporary and regular hire staff.
Beneficiaries must have incurred a U.S. immigration-related expense resulting from the Eaton or Palisades fire, and not been reimbursed by other sources. Examples of U.S. immigration-related expenses include, but are not limited to:
- Loss of foreign passport
- Loss of EAD
Starting on February 25, 2025, eligible beneficiaries may apply for the Gumpel Fund Disaster Relief Supplement to defray U.S. immigration related expenses associated with the Eaton or Palisades fire.
- Eligible beneficiaries can request a standard grant award of up to $250 per person, for themselves and up to three dependents.
- Eligible beneficiaries may apply for a lesser amount if losses are less than the standard grant amount.
- Grant payments may be made in the form by electronic deposit or check.
Payments to beneficiaries will be made in compliance with applicable IRS and other legal requirements and are intended not to be taxable for income tax purposes under Federal and California law. To the extent the expenses covered by the grant from the Gumpel Fund Disaster Relief Supplement are reimbursed or covered by insurance or another source, please notify the International Offices as this may affect the taxability of the grant payment.
Caltech retains the sole discretion for determining eligibility and making grant decisions.
Step 1: Complete the application.
- The application link will be active from February 25 - March 7, 2025.
- Provide additional documentation or verification of primary address, if requested during the application process.
- Applications will be reviewed on a first-come basis, until funds are exhausted or until March 7, 2025, whichever occurs first.
- Beneficiaries will be notified of the status of their applications generally within three business days.
Step 2: When prompted, complete an attestation.
- The attestation will be provided to beneficiaries who have been approved.
Step 3: Receive grant payment.
- Grant payments will be disbursed electronically or a check will be mailed to the beneficiary's home address.
Please consult with your financial advisor and/or tax advisor about receiving money from the Gumpel Fund Disaster Relief Supplement regarding any personal tax implications to determine any impact on your insurance or FEMA payments (if any). Ideally, the expenses covered by the Gumpel Fund Disaster Relief Supplement will not otherwise be reimbursed or covered by insurance or another source.
Please reach out to the International Offices.