The Student Emergency Fund was created to assist Wittenberg University students who encounter an unforeseen financial emergency or events which would otherwise prevent them from continuing their education at Wittenberg. These funds are not intended to be used for routine expenses or as a consistent supplement to a student’s education funding sources. Requests must be urgent in nature and an event or unforeseeable circumstance must have occurred in order to be eligible for student emergency funds.
Our goal is to help students during a time of need to stay in school and make progress toward a degree. Priority will be given to students whose tenure at Wittenberg may be at risk because of unexpected expenses.
This funding is not intended to replace or supplement existing financial aid and does not have to be repaid.
Students may apply for funds when they have exhausted all other resources.
The number of students who can be served by the Student Emergency Fund is subject to the availability of funds. The fund must be sustained by continual contributions from alumni, parents, faculty, students, staff and friends of the University. The Student Emergency Fund is a University wide initiative and coordinated as a joint venture between the Division of Student Development and University Advancement.
Types of Expenses Covered Including but not limited to:
- Medications and other costs related to medical care
- Books and other essential academic expenses
- Safety needs (i.e. changing a lock)
- Assistance with replacement of essential personal belongings due to fire, theft, or natural disaster
- Travel costs related to a death or illness in the immediate family
- Assistance with rent, utilities, food and other essential household expenses
Expenses NOT Covered:
Including but not limited to:
- Tuition, fees, health insurance, and study abroad costs
- Non-essential utilities (i.e. cable), household, or furniture costs not related to damage or theft
- Parking tickets and other fines
- Costs for entertainment, recreation, non-emergency travel or other non-essential expenses
- Expenses that could be anticipated and other non-emergency related expenses
- Expenditures resulting from poor financial management
Eligibility
- Applicants should be currently enrolled and be in good standing with a minimum cumulative GPA of a 2.0 or show evidence of recent satisfactory progress at Wittenberg University during the term when the emergency funds are being requested.
- Applicants must have a financial hardship resulting from an emergency, accident, or other unplanned event that potentially inhibits or threatens their ability to successfully complete the current semester.
- Be able to demonstrate his/her current financial need with supporting documentation.
- All other resources, including Student Financial Aid, must have been considered and are either insufficient, unavailable, or not available in a timely manner.
- Generally a maximum of two (2) awards will be made to any one student during all combined enrollments at Wittenberg University.
Award Procedures
- Students who are in need of emergency financial assistance may submit an application and supporting documentation to the Office of the Dean of Students.
- Funds distributed will generally not exceed $300 per request. Those individuals reviewing applications will review applications requesting in excess of $300 for unique and unusual circumstances of emergency financial need.
- Applicants may be required to meet with a staff member to discuss their application.
- Students must provide receipts and/or documentation for payment or reimbursement not later than 10 days after funds have been dispersed.
* Please note that while you do not need to repay this financial assistance, it may be considered as taxable income and subject to federal tax regulations.