Overview
The Student Assistance Fund (SAF) - Emergency Relief is designed to provide financial assistance to active Emerson College students who are facing unexpected financial hardships or emergencies that could hinder their ability to continue their education. The fund aims to offer temporary and short-term relief to eligible students, assisting them to overcome financial obstacles and maintain their academic progress.
Qualifications and Eligibility
To be considered for the (SAF) - Emergency Relief, students must meet the following qualifications and eligibility criteria:
- Enrollment: Applicants must be actively enrolled as full-time or part-time students at Emerson College. Domestic and international students are eligible.
- Qualified Requests-Emergency Situations: Students must demonstrate that they are facing an unforeseen financial emergency or crisis that jeopardizes their ability to remain enrolled at Emerson.
- Academic Standing: Students should be in good academic standing.
- Demonstrated Need: Applicants must have an active FAFSA completed (Domestic Students Only). FAFSA is not required for international student applicants.
- Timing: The SAF application is available in the fall and spring semesters, opening after the Boston campus add/drop period and closing on the last day of Boston classes each semester. The application will not be active during winter and summer breaks.
- Good Financial Standing at the College: Applicants must not have a balance on their Emerson student account. Students on a payment plan are considered to be in good financial standing.
Application Process:
The application process for the (SAF) - Emergency Relief usually involves the following steps:
- Application Form: Students must complete an application in the SFS Portal.
- Written Statement: Students may be asked to provide a written statement explaining their emergency situation, how it has impacted their ability to continue their education, and how the fund's assistance will be beneficial.
- Review and Evaluation: The submitted applications are reviewed by the Student Financial Services (Student Success, Financial Aid, and Student Accounts) to assess eligibility and determine the level of assistance needed.
- Award Notification: Applicants will be notified of the outcome of their application. If approved, they will receive information regarding the amount of financial assistance granted and any additional steps required to receive the funds.
- Fund Disbursement: Once all necessary steps are completed, the approved funds are disbursed to the students, usually through direct deposit. The funding request must be for an expense occurring during that semester only and not for future terms or for anticipated expenses.
- Funds that are approved must be utilized within the same semester in which they are requested. Any remaining funds after the last day of classes for that semester will be reallocated.
Examples of Expenses that will be considered include:
- Textbooks (that are not available via the Iwasaki Library Textbooks on Reserve program)
- MBTA Pass (Up to one-month LinkPass only. Semester Passes are not eligible)
- Emergency travel expenses
- Food (in the form of meal swipes in the Emerson Dining Center, only)
Examples of Expenses that will not be considered include:
- Tuition, fees, room/board or rent, late or replacement fees, or other standard expenses associated with attending Emerson College; and costs of optional programs, entertainment, recreation, non-emergency travel, and other non-essential expenses. Refunds for past purchases will not be considered.
Donate to the SAF
If you would like to make a donation to the Student Assistance Fund, please click the button, 100% of contributions to the Student Assistance Fund are distributed directly to students. (Make sure that you click "Student Assistance Fund" from the list of possible scholarships.) We welcome gifts of any amount and offer our sincere thanks in advance for your support of Emerson's students!
