Emergency Funding

Q1:  What type of emergency expenses does a Student Emergency Grant cover?
A1: A Student Emergency Grant can cover a number of expenses and situations. Examples include, but are not limited to:

Unforeseen/Temporary Examples

• Accident or Illness: A student is involved in a car accident and needs immediate financial assistance for medical bills or transportation.
• Fire or Water Damage: A student's apartment or residence is affected by fire/water damage, requiring funds for temporary housing or essential items.
• Homelessness or Eviction Risk: A student at risk of eviction due to inability to pay rent/faces homelessness.
• Natural Disaster: A student's residence or community is affected by a natural disaster (e.g., flooding, tornado).
• Utility Shutoffs: A student's utilities (e.g., electricity, cooking gas) are at risk of being shut off due to unpaid bills, requiring urgent funds to prevent disconnection.
• Medical Emergencies: A student experiences a medical emergency requiring costly treatment outside of insurance coverage or hospitalization within the past 30 days
• Loss of Essential Property: A student's essential school belongings are lost/damaged beyond repair requiring replacement.
• Domestic Violence/Abuse: A student experiences domestic violence or abuse, requiring funds for temporary shelter or relocation.
• Unforeseen Childcare Costs: A student unexpectedly incurs additional childcare expenses due to a caregiver's unavailability or emergency.
• Loss of Scholarship or Financial Aid: A student's scholarship or financial aid is unexpectedly revoked or reduced, impacting their ability to cover tuition or living expenses.
• Transportation Issues: A student's primary mode of transportation (e.g., car) breaks down unexpectedly, requiring alternative transportation costs.

Non-Qualifying Examples

• Non-Emergency Medical Expenses: Routine medical check-ups, health insurance elective/cosmetic surgeries, or ongoing medical treatments, copays, or past-due medical bills.
• Non-Sudden Housing Needs: Planned moves, regularly anticipated fixed expenses (rent, mortgage  Payments) without facing imminent  eviction or homelessness.
• Regular Educational Expenses: Tuition bill  for an upcoming semester, academic fees, fees that are part of  typical academic planning and study abroad costs.  Note: Regular tuition costs are  expected as part of ongoing educational expenses.
• Standard Transportation Costs: Regular commuting expenses are part of usual budgeting; not a sudden/unforeseen issue.
• Standard Utility Bills: Monthly electricity, water, internet bills, cable bills that are within normal usage and budgeted for regularly.
• Routine Childcare Expenses: Regular expenses for childcare or daycare services that are part of a family's ongoing budget.
• Reimbursement: For example: paid tuition cost, unpaid loans/debts, credit card bills, etc.
• Non-essential utilities: For example, cable, cell phone bill, etc.

Q2: Is there a maximum amount for a Student Emergency Grant?
A2: The maximum award is $3,000.00. All requested amounts will be subject to be reported on a W-9 form as required by tax regulations.

Q3: Who is eligible for a Student Emergency Grant?
A3: You are eligible to apply for a Student Emergency Grant if you are currently enrolled at John Jay as either a full-time or part-time undergraduate or graduate degree student, including if you are an undocumented student, student with DACA or international student. Students must complete at least one semester. 

Once you are eligible to apply, there are additional factors that are weighed to determine if your application will be approved:

• You must complete the application in its entirety. All information will be verified by an Emergency Funding coordinator and academic, financial and student conduct information may be used to determine eligibility. Applications submitted without supporting documents will NOT be reviewed. 
• There must be funds available and approving your application must be consistent with all applicable laws. 
• Your degree progression (how close you are to degree completion/conferral), SAP status (Standards of Academic Progress (GPA) 2.0 undergraduate and 3.0 graduate), and financial situation (including, as appropriate, financial aid) will all be considered by the Emergency Funding Committee.

Q4: I am an international student. Can I apply for a Student Emergency Grant?
A4: Yes.

Q5: I am a CUSP student. Can I apply for a Student Emergency Grant?
A5: CUSP students can receive a Student Emergency Grant to cover emergency expenses but not to cover tuition. CUSP students who need money for tuition should contact their CUSP advisor to apply for the CUSP completion grant program.

Q6: I am a graduate student. Can I apply for a Student Emergency Grant?
A6: Yes.

Q7: Do I need to be a degree-seeking student?
A7: Yes. You must be currently enrolled as a degree-seeking student but full-time enrollment is not required.  On a case-by-case basis, the number of credits enrolled can be a factor in whether a Student Emergency Grant application is approved.

Q8: May I receive more than one Emergency Grant?
A8: A student may receive an emergency grant only once during their academic career at John Jay.

Q9: What documentation do I need to verify an emergency?  All supporting documents must be submitted within 7 days. 
A9: You must submit the following:

• Student/Government photo I.D.
• Transcript
•  W-9 form and Consent Form are required for all the below emergencies

• Rental Arrears	Security Deposit	Moving Expenses
  Lease Invoice Eviction notice	Lease Security Deposit Invoice	Invoice from moving company
  Domestic Violence/Abuse	Utility Arrears (heat, cooking gas, electricity)	Child Care
  Police report (if applicable) Court document (if applicable)	Recent Utility Bill Letter from the utility account holder (if applicable)	Invoice Care Provider Verification
  Travel Expenses	Clean-up after a natural disaster	Unforeseen Medical Bill
  Internship placement letter Loss of a scholarship Pending FWS placement FASFA award Class Schedule	Proof of damage Police report (if applicable) Invoice indicating the cost of clean-up	Medical facility invoice Hospital Discharge (Note: within the past 14 days)
  Loss of Clothing (DV or Natural Disaster)	Tuition	Tuition Loss of furniture (DV or Natural Disaster)
  Proof of damage Police report (if applicable)	e-Bill	Proof of damage Police report (if applicable) Furniture Replacement Invoice

Q10: Is the grant available on a first-come, first-serve basis?
A10: Applications are processed in the order they are received, but you are not guaranteed a grant simply because you apply before someone else—instead, you must meet all the criteria described here, and the committee must approve your application. Approval of applications is based on the availability of funds raised.

Q11: How soon can I expect to find out if I have received a Student Emergency Grant?
A11: Once a completed application is received (including all required documents), the approval process can take up to 15 business days. When there is a high volume of applications, however, it can take up to 30 days.

Q12: If I am approved for the grant, how will the money reach me?
A12: If your grant is for tuition, the money will be deposited directly into your CUNY First account. For all other funds, payments will be provided to third parties only (for example, a landlord for rent, or utility service provider).

Q13: If I am denied a grant, can I make an appeal?

A13: No.  However, in extraordinary circumstances, an exception can be made. If you need to submit an appeal, please complete the Emergency Grant Application Appeal Form and provide detailed information about the extraordinary circumstances with additional supporting documents.  

Q14: Are the funds received from the emergency grant considered taxable income?
A14: Possibly. Depending on the expense(s) the grant is used for, it may be considered taxable income. For more information about how receiving an emergency grant could impact your taxes, please be sure to speak to your financial advisor or tax preparer.