Emergency Assistance Fund
The SVA Alumni Society administers the Emergency Assistance Fund, which provides monetary grant support to currently enrolled students with extenuating circumstances who are experiencing short-term financial hardship. It is available to all students—graduate or undergraduate, domestic or international—who meet the program’s eligibility requirements.
Available Funding
The funds allocated for this program are limited. The number of students served is subject to available funding.
Students who wish to apply must write to alumnisociety@sva.edu requesting access to the online application portal.
Eligibility and Application Guidelines
Applicants must be currently enrolled students (graduate or undergraduate, domestic or international) experiencing immediate financial hardship resulting from an emergency, accident, or another unexpected critical incident. The expense must be unforeseen and the urgent nature unavoidable. Up to $500 may be requested. Students are eligible to receive one grant during their studies at SVA; exceptions may be made on a case-by-case basis if a previous grant recipient submits an appeal to receive additional funding. This funding is not intended to reimburse expenses that have already been paid or to replace or supplement existing financial aid. Funds cannot be used to cover tuition. If funds are granted, they do not have to be repaid. Those interested are required to complete an online application. Applicants must complete all questions in full and may be required to answer follow-up questions. Incomplete applications or applications lacking in appropriate detail and clearly outlining extenuating circumstances may be disqualified.
Examples of qualifying needs due to short-term financial hardship include but are not limited to:
Food
Emergency travel
Temporary loss of employment
Theft of essentials including computers, books and clothes
Art and other school supplies
Prescription drug copays
Surgery, dental work, or eyecare (e.g., buying eyeglasses) required as a result of an accident and not covered by insurance
Travel necessitated by the death or illness of an immediate family member
Temporary housing needs (such as due to fire, theft, or a natural disaster)
Loss of child care
The following needs are not considered emergency needs and are ineligible:
Normal and anticipated academic expenses already covered through financial aid (tuition, housing, fees, health insurance, and books)
Fines and fees (such as library fines or other expenses mistakenly incurred or preventable)
Parking tickets
Alcohol and drug-related offenses, fines and court fees; penalties, fines, tickets, legal fees, or jail bonds
Funds to pay back prior loans
Auto, appliance and furniture purchases
Cash requirements that normally would be anticipated
Costs for entertainment, recreation, or non-emergency travel, or travel over breaks (Thanksgiving, Winter or Spring)
Student conferences
Expenditures resulting from poor financial management
Phones
Computer replacement due to negligence
Questions? Contact alumnisociety@sva.edu.