Student Emergency Support Fund expanded during COVID-19 pandemic

The Student Emergency Support Fund (SESF) is available to students who have an Expected Family Contribution of $7,000 or less. The purpose of the fund is to assist students who experience a financial emergency.   Due to generous donations from donors we are able to offer one-time grants for up to $1,000.  We ask that students apply first for the CARES Act Fund prior to applying for the Student Emergency Support Fund.   Funding is limited. We will award grants until all funds for 2020-2021 are spent.

Eligible expenses include: 

• Assessments for disabilities
• Child care
• Food/meals
• Gas
• Housing/rent
• Medical/dental
• Personal automobile
• Personal hygiene items
• Public transportation/bus pass
• Utilities 

Ineligible expenses include: 

• Alcohol
• Books
• Entertainment
• Fees
• Legal fees
• Tobacco
• Tuition

To be eligible, students need to:

• Provide valid documentation of the financial emergency
• Provide appropriate contact information for the parties that are due payment
• Schedule a time to meet with an SESF committee member to process their application

Assistance is granted without regard to race, color, creed, religion, sexual orientation, age, gender, gender expression, disability or national origin.

Application Process

Interested students must complete the screening form and contact Dawn Wright in the Office of Student Affairs to set up a virtual appointment with a member of the SESF Committee: Chris Abrams, Dean of Student Affairs, John Sharp, Associate Director of Stoner Health Center for Counseling; Douglas Stoll, Coordinator of Student Accessibility Services; Shaun Gunnell, Coordinator of Multicultural Student Affairs; and Paul Sittason Stark, Chaplain and Director of Religious Life and Civic Engagement. You may contact any member of the committee to apply if you are more comfortable with this approach. You will have an interview with a committee member, and if your request is eligible, you will be guided through completing and submitting an application. Documents to support your request (bills or estimates, etc.) are required to complete your application. Contact a Program Administrator with questions: Dawn Wright (dwright1@heidelberg.edu) or Paul Sittason Stark (pstark@heidelberg.edu).

Award Payments

When your application is submitted, a decision will be made within two business days. If approved for funding, in most cases payment will be made payable to a third party. Payment type will be determined by the college on a case-by-case basis. In most cases, award payments will be completed within two business days. Payments to third parties will be mailed to them. Food cards and gas cards, if applicable, will be mailed to a student’s current address.

If you have any questions, contact one of the SESF program administrators: Dawn Wright (dwright1@heidelberg.edu) or Paul Sittason Stark (pstark@heidelberg.edu).