Student Emergency Fund

The Student Emergency Fund was created by the SCC Foundation to assist SCC students who encounter an unforeseen financial emergency which would otherwise prevent them from continuing their education at SCC. These funds are not intended to be used for routine expenses or as a consistent supplement to a student’s education funding sources. This funding is only available during the semester the student is enrolled and the emergency occurs. 

Requests must be urgent in nature.

Qualifying Examples
Consideration will only be given to applicants that have experienced an unforeseen financial emergency. Examples include:

  • Significant uncovered medical expenses for necessary treatment related to self, spouse or child;
  • Transportation issues;
  • Critical past due housing or utility expenses; or
  • Unfunded educational expense

Eligibility

Applicants in Arts and Sciences, Career Technologies or Health Sciences must:

  1. Be currently enrolled at Southwestern Community College
  2. Be 18 years of age or older
  3. Have successfully completed at least 12 credit hours at SCC within the past five years
  4. Be registered for at least 6 credit hours for the semester in which they are requesting funds
  5. Have a cumulative GPA of 2.0 or higher and a 67% satisfactory completion rate at SCC
  6. Have completed and submitted a FAFSA application for the present academic year
  7. Have an SCC faculty or staff member serve as an application sponsor
  8. Provide written proof of emergency financial need

Applicants in Workforce Continuing Education must:

  1. Be currently enrolled at Southwestern Community College
  2. Be 18 years of age or older
  3. Enrolled in a 96 hour or greater occupational program that leads to a certification and be making satisfactory progress toward completion
  4. Have an SCC faculty or staff member serve as an application sponsor
  5. Provide written proof of emergency financial need

Award
The Student Emergency Fund will award up to $250 per student. These funds will not be awarded to the same student in consecutive semesters.

Applications are reviewed by the appropriate Student Emergency Funds Committee. Notification of award shall be sent to applicants within 1 business day.

To learn how the Student Emergency Fund impacts students, listen to Dayini's story.

Students are strongly encouraged to repay their award in order to help additional students in the future.

Procedure

  1. SCC faculty or staff member contacts the Foundation office to request an application.

    1. Coordinator: Allison Kaserman
    2. Number: 828-339-4227
    3. Email: a_kaserman@southwesterncc.edu
  2. A Google Form application will be sent to the faculty/staff member and the student in question.
  3. Faculty/staff member and students are strongly encouraged to fill out the application together.
    1. Student Information section to be completed by the student.
    2. Recommendation section to be completed by the faculty/staff member.
  4. Application is reviewed by the appropriate Student Emergency Funds Committee.
  5. Student and faculty/staff member will be notified of the committee's decision within 1 business day.
  6. The committee will make arrangements for the support of the student.

How Is the Student Emergency Fund Supported?
The Student Emergency Fund is completely supported through donations to the SCC Foundation. If you are interested, there are three easy ways you can support this fund:

  1. If you are an SCC employee, sign up for a payroll deduction and check the box to support the Student Emergency Fund.
  2. Make check payable to SCC Foundation and write "Student Emergency Fund" in the memo line.
  3. Make an online donation and select "Student Emergency Fund."

All donations to the SCC Foundation are tax-deductible as allowed by the IRS. For more information contact Allison Kaserman at a_kaserman@southwesterncc.edu 

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