Enhanced Student Emergency Fund
Dear Students,
As President McBride shared in his message to our community yesterday, the Student Emergency Fund has been enhanced, making nearly $3 million available to address the significant financial hardship and unanticipated needs that students are facing due to COVID-19. The new Student Emergency Fund combines multiple funding sources, including Federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act funding, donor contributions, the existing Student Emergency Assistance Fund, and any of the colleges’ individual emergency funds. By pooling these resources in one place, we can ensure greater equity in the distribution of funds to serve those most in need, increase the maximum amount of aid per person, and streamline the application process. You no longer must apply for a variety of funds to access the resources you need.
Please see below for more information about eligibility for funding, the application process, and the distribution timeline.
Awards
Students in need may apply for one-time assistance with specific expenses related to housing, food, health care, course materials, technology, and/or child care, for maximum total funding of $2,000. Visit the application form to see the rubric for fund distribution.
Depending on the number of students who apply and the amount of funding distributed, students may have the opportunity to apply for additional support at a later date.
Eligibility
All degree-seeking students who were enrolled during spring 2020 as of March 13, 2020, are eligible for one-time assistance from this fund through the end of the spring 2020 semester. Even if you have received aid from a campus or college emergency fund before this date, you are eligible to apply for this funding. Please request funds only if you are in immediate need.
We encourage students with urgent needs to apply once now to the enhanced Student Emergency Fund. We cannot guarantee the fulfillment of second applications at this time. As we process requests, we will review the fund balance and notify students if we have resources available to fulfill more requests.
Application Process
To apply for funding, complete and submit this application form, checking every category from which you need assistance. If you have requested funding from another university source in the past few weeks, please submit your request through this centralized application process instead. You will not be required to submit proof of expenses, but we do ask that you request only what you need. There are many students facing unprecedented challenges due to COVID-19, and our goal is to offer support to the largest number possible. We will accept applications until funds are exhausted.
Fund Distribution
A team from across Student Success, Financial Aid, Student Accounts, and Business & Finance will process your application and notify you within one business day that your application has been approved. Depending on the payment method you choose, you will receive your payment within three to 10 business days of your notification. We understand that you are facing time-sensitive needs, and we are working hard to get these funds to you as quickly as possible. If you have a US-based bank account and have not already enrolled in direct deposit, we encourage you to sign up now through the Student Accounts portlet in MyNewSchool to enable the fastest disbursement of funds. Please visit our FAQ for more details about fund distribution methods.
We hope that this enhanced Student Emergency Fund will help ease some of the financial challenges you may be facing. If you have questions about the fund, please visit the Financial Assistance webpage or contact sef@newschool.edu.