SWCC student emergency funding is dedicated to helping students with temporary, short-term financial assistance. Emergency funding is not intended to provide ongoing relief of recurring/routine expenses or as a consistent supplement for educational expenses.
Consideration will only be given to applicants who have experienced financial hardship due to unforeseen emergencies and/or catastrophic events.
*See instructions for Non-credit FastForward program students
**Documentation of Unforeseen/Catastrophic events must be attached to the application for consideration (i.e.: termination notice, vehicle repair estimate, medical bill, etc.).
Qualifying Examples
The following examples may include, but are not limited to:
- Natural disasters such as fire, tornado, etc.
- Uncovered costs related to unexpected/unforeseen medical expenses
- Vehicle breakdown/accident
- Loss of employment due to an unexpected lay-off
- Homelessness
- Death of guardian, spouse, or child
Non-Qualifying Events
The following examples may include, but are not limited to:
- Loss of employment due to voluntary resignation, temporary employment, or known/scheduled time off
- Routinely occurring bills such as electric, rent, car payment, etc. (unless in default due to a qualifying unforeseen event listed above)
- Moving expenses (unless due to an emergency situation such as domestic abuse, homelessness, etc.)
- Child support
- Routine medical expenses such as annual health check-ups, dental cleanings, etc.
Eligibility Requirements
To be eligible for consideration, a student must:
- Be currently enrolled in the semester for which they are requesting assistance
- Be enrolled at least half-time (6 credit hours)
- Have at least a 2.0 GPA and be in good standing
- Have already completed at least 6 credit hours at SWCC
- Have a SWCC Faculty/Staff recommendation
- Be able to provide sufficient documentation of financial hardship
Award
If the request is approved, the Student Emergency Fund will award up to a maximum of $250 per student, per semester, and not more than twice per student; however, students may submit an appeal for extreme emergency situations. Funds awarded through the SWCC Student Emergency Fund are not loans and do not require repayment to SWCC.
Application Procedures
- Student must complete the Student-Emergency-Fund-Assistance-Application.
- Students must fill out the Student Information and Student Financial Information sections.
- The student is responsible for seeking recommendations from an SWCC Faculty member, SWCC Student Success Advisor, or other SWCC representative.
- Students must submit documentation of hardship along with the application.
- Students must turn in a completed application and all documentation to the Student Success office located in Buchanan Hall, room 150. (Application/documentation may also be scanned and emailed to shelly.musick@sw.edu).
- The assistance application will be submitted for review. Every effort will be made to respond within 5 business days from the date it is received.
- Students will be notified via their SWCC student email of the decision, as well as instructions on how to retrieve funds if the request is approved.
- Assistance will be provided in the form of a check as a direct payment to a service provider, retailer, etc. A check made directly to a student is possible, but only under special circumstances and left to the discretion of the reviewer.
- Students must make arrangements to pick up funds within 2 business days of approval notification.
Non-credit FastForward program students should apply for assistance with Adrianna.Culbertson@sw.edu.
All other non-credit, non-FastForward students must meet the following criteria in order to be considered:
- Enrolled in a workforce course or program that is not for personal enrichment/part of the community classes offerings.
- Have successfully completed at least 1 non-credit course at SWCC or 6 credit hours at SWCC.
- Must be in good standing.