Student Emergency Fund

The Student Emergency Fund assists Worcester State University students by providing limited emergency financial support when they need assistance with unexpected, unforeseen, and unavoidable emergency circumstances that jeopardize their ability to successfully continue in school.

This funding is not intended to reimburse for expenses that have already been paid, or to replace or supplement existing financial aid. Decisions regarding amount and disbursement of funds are made on a case-by-case basis. Awards are not considered loans and do not require repayment. Some funds may be considered income and are therefore subject to federal taxes.

Average Student Emergency Fund award amount: $500.00

Average Student Emergency Fund textbook award amount: $250.00

Possible expenses covered by the Emergency Fund

Examples of expenses considered for funding include but are not limited to:

• Significant emergency expenses
• Textbooks through the University Bookstore
• Access to remote learning technology
• Safety related needs, i.e.: changing a lock on a vehicle or home
• Traveling costs related to a death or illness in the immediate family
• Loss of housing due to natural disaster, fire, etc.

Expenses not covered

Examples include but are not limited to:

• Tuition, fees, health insurance, study abroad costs*
• Routine monthly expenses such as rent, utilities, etc
• Household or furniture costs not related to damage or theft
• Parking tickets
• Costs of optional programming, conferences, entertainment, recreation, or non-essential travel
• Childcare

Eligibility requirements

To be eligible for consideration, a student must:

• Have a financial hardship resulting from an emergency, accident or other unplanned event.
• Be currently enrolled as a matriculated student at Worcester State University.
• Be a student in good standing at Worcester State, with a GPA of 2.0 or higher, with the exception of first semester students, who will be eligible to apply regardless of GPA.
• Be able to demonstrate financial need with supporting documents.
• Establish that other possible resources have been considered and are either unavailable of insufficient.
• In rare circumstances, the aforementioned eligibility guidelines can be waived upon the recommendation of the Dean of Student or their designee.

*MA State Emergency Fund Program (EFP) through the Worcester State Student Emergency Fund:
By completing an application Students with outstanding balances and facing financial hardship may be awarded through the MA State Emergency Fund Program (EFP). By applying for assistance through the Worcester State Student Emergency Fund, you are agreeing to allow the committee to share your application with Worcester State’s Financial Aid office.