Emergency Aid Program
Click here to apply for Emergency Aid.
The Westchester Community College Emergency Aid Grant
The Westchester Community College Emergency Aid Grant was established to assist students who have sudden, unforeseen financial emergencies. This Grant is a one-time award given to students who are experiencing a temporary financial crisis to enable them to remain enrolled at Westchester Community College.
Eligibility for the Grant
- Students must not owe tuition to Westchester Community College
- Students must be matriculated with a minimum GPA of 2.00
- Students must be matriculated for 9 credits or more
- Students must have a record of good conduct
- Students must complete application in full with supporting documentation of crisis or emergency
- Students must have a current emergency need
- Student cannot be eligible or receiving public assistance
What constitutes an emergency
Eligible emergencies are generally financial situations that are immediate, short-term and severe in nature that are not chronic or pre-existing circumstances. They are also situations that cannot be remedied by the Financial Aid Office, the Scholarship Office or the Benefits Access Center.
Enrollment at Westchester Community College
The goal of this grant is to assist those students who are matriculated and whose sudden emergency threatens their enrollment. Consideration for the grant will include the student’s ability to continue academically and financially going forward.
Emergencies the grant committee will consider but are not limited to:
- Destruction of living quarters due to a fire or natural disaster
- Homelessness due to loss of housing
- Illness or death in the immediate family
- Overdue utility bills with threat of turn-off notice (Excluding cable/satellite TV, Internet or Phone)
- Theft of computer, books, clothing or other essential belonging
- Uncovered Medical/Dental emergencies
- Temporary loss of job or income
- Loss of childcare
- Victims of violence
- Other (you may give an explanation of your emergency in personal statement)
Non-covered situations include, but may not be limited to:
- College debts
- Overdue credit card bills, loans, or insurance
- Food (If you have a food insufficiency please go to the Benefits Access Center)
- To pay for full or partial tuition or college fees
- Books, computers or college supplies
- To pay for legal representation in a criminal proceeding or Westchester Community College disciplinary proceeding
- This funding is not intended to replace or supplement existing financial aid, scholarships or services from the Benefits Access Center
Obligations of student recipients
- Grants do NOT have to be repaid.
- Students receiving aid will be required to register with the Benefits Access Center and attend two financial counseling sessions. Student who do not meet this obligation will have a hold placed ion their record until they complete this requirement.
- Grants awarded to students range from $100 – $1,500.
If approved, there is generally a 72-hour turnaround time from application approval to check processing