Student Emergency Fund

Before submitting this application for emergency assistance, students must first complete the following steps with the Office of Financial Aid:

• Appeal your current financial aid package if you believe it does not adequately reflect your financial situation.
  • Accept all forms of aid offered, including federal student loans, grants, and work-study opportunities, unless you have a documented reason for declining.
  • Emergency aid is intended to serve as a last resort for students who have exhausted all other available financial resources.
  • If you have not yet appealed your aid or accepted your full financial aid package, please contact the Office of Financial Aid before proceeding with this application.

After checking in with Financial Aid, please fill out the Basic Needs Request Form. Once completed, you will be assigned a case manager that will request to meet with you face to face or virtually for an intake meeting. You will be asked to explain why the circumstance is unexpected, unforeseen, and unavoidable.

Funding eligibility is determined in collaboration with the Office of Financial Aid. To approve funding or adjust a student’s Cost of Attendance for emergency-related needs, we require documentation for specific expenses. Please ensure you include supporting documentation (e.g., receipts) for the following categories:

• Travel (e.g., plane tickets, U-Haul rentals, train fares)
• Utility Bills
• Technology (e.g., laptops, WiFi cards, internet service)
• Medical Expenses (e.g., procedures, prescriptions)
• Car Repairs
• Police Reports

Failure to submit required documentation will result in denial of request. Please be prepared to submit all paperwork when meeting with the case manager.

Your application will be reviewed for eligibility for available funding in the order that they are received and depending on the amount of funding we have available. You may also consider applying for loans to help cover higher-cost or long-term financial obligations. While we strive to support each applicant to the best of our ability, please note that funding is limited and we may not be able to fulfill your entire request.

The approval timeline varies depending on individual circumstances. If all required documentation is submitted, the process may be expedited. However, if additional information is needed, it may take longer. Due to high demand, please allow 10–14 business days for your application to be reviewed. Processing times may also be affected during Winter, Spring, and Summer breaks.

Once approved, funds are typically disbursed within 2-3 weeks.

Emergency funding is limited and awarded until funds are depleted. Applying does not guarantee you will receive funding. Funding is usually offered in the amount of $500 or less, exceptions determined on a case-by-case basis. The $500 maximum you could receive is per academic year.

If you have questions or concerns about your application, resources listed on this website, or need guidance, please contact the Office of the Dean of Students at [email protected] or call (315) 312-5483.

Students who receive assistance from the Student Emergency Fund are incredibly appreciative of donor support during a trying period in their lives. The Student Emergency Fund can only help as many students as there are resources available. Continued support from alumni, parents, faculty, staff, students and friends of the University ensures continued success of the Student Emergency Fund. Thank you to all donors, for your support.

Donate to the Emergency Fund