Student Emergency Fund

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 that 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 (ie: 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 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

1. 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.

2. 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).
3. 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.
4. 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.
5. 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.
6. 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.