August 31, 2020
GENERAL
Emergency funding is meant to cover one-time, unexpected expenses such as a technology
need, clothing need, minor medical expense, emergency travel, etc. It is not intended for
ongoing expenses such as regular medical expenses, rent, utilities, or tuition.
Opportunities that qualify for this type of funding should reinforce applicants’ academic
pursuits during their present degree programs, such as training, academic conferences,
professional school entrance exams, test prep, etc.
Yes, all undergraduate, graduate, and professional students are eligible and encouraged to
apply.
Yes, international, undocumented, and DACA students are eligible and encouraged to
apply
No, you do not have to be highly aided/FGLI to be eligible.
Yes. However, we do highly recommend you contact Student Registration and Financial
Services as a first step to address your financial concerns and needs for comprehensive
support.
Grants from this award process typically range from $200 to $1000. The average amount
received is $500.
Additional grant funding awarded to you through your student account is tax reportable
if it is intended for non-qualified expenses (i.e. anything other than tuition, fees, books,
and supplies). This funding is reported on your annual 1098-T form, which you can use to
help you file your taxes each year. For specific questions about your personal tax
situation, you will need to consult with a tax professional, as Penn cannot provide
personal tax advice.
This grant may affect your financial aid package or work-study award, and we strongly
encourage you to contact your assigned financial aid counselor to discuss any award you
may receive.
Our funding comes from several sources, including alumni groups and other donor grants. We are very grateful for their support, and we ask grant recipients to write a note of thanks that we can share with our donors.
Yes, you can qualify for funding if you are married or living with a partner who earns an
income. This funding was made available to help enrolled students pursuing their
academic goals. In other words, funding will not be awarded to help your partner or family
members’ financial challenges. We do suggest that you and your partner seek alternative
sources (e.g. governmental resources) for their needs and support if that serves the
purpose for them.
This funding process was established with the intention to provide short-term and onetime relief for emergency financial circumstances. Housing funding is an ongoing expense
that requires a larger and more comprehensive solution.
While personal travel is an opportunity, funding is limited to opportunities that are directly
related to an applicant’s current degree. Personal or recreational travel likely will not fit
this category.
Each application will be reviewed fully by the committee. Sometimes, we cannot provide a
grant because of the limits on financial aid packages or the scope of what our grants can
support. Even if a student is not assisted with a grant, our team will always try to work
with a student to find resources or solutions for their particular situation if possible; this
can include loan options.
PROCESS
Student Intervention Services provides support and advocacy for students and their
communities. A staff person from Student Intervention Services will work with you
collaboratively to further provide advocacy to the review committee with your
application. In addition, the staff from Student Intervention Services might be able to
identify resources or support to assist you in additional ways.
We understand that your personal situation is sensitive, and we respect your privacy. The
questions we ask are necessary for accountability in the distribution of our limited source
of funding. We also try to understand your situation as fully as possible so we can identify
any additional resources or support that may be helpful for you.
A committee of staff members from Student Intervention Services, Penn First Plus, Student
Financial Services, and VPUL reviews each application. We try to exhaust every avenue of
support we have available to a student, whether financial or otherwise, in the outcome of a
case.
The average time from application to notification of a decision is 2 weeks. Student
Intervention Services will do the best to meet with applicants within 5 business days of
their application submission to prepare to advocate for each applicant in the committee
review. The committee reviews applications weekly. If a student’s case is particularly
complex or comes at a particularly high-volume time of year (such as the beginning of a
semester), this process might take longer.
Yes. You may contact your assigned Student Intervention Services case manager and/or
SRFS counselor as a first step for their guidance.
RESULTS
The committee assesses the reasonable amount of funding for the requested items (e.g.
laptop, winter clothing, food expenses). We must also consider applicants’ financial aid
packages to comply with federal regulations. If federal regulations prohibit us from
awarding a grant, our team will counsel applications about other options (i.e. loans,
reviewing refund use).
It is not likely that the awarded amount will be adjusted after the committee’s
decision. However, you may discuss your concerns about the amount of the award with
your assigned Student Intervention Services case manager.
Funding should be reflected on your student account and disbursed via direct deposit (if
you have signed up for direct deposit with SRFS) within several business days upon your
receipt of the award letter issued by Student Intervention Services. If you need an
expedited process for the funding distribution, you should contact Student Intervention
Services.
You do not have to write a thank you/testimonial but are encouraged to do so. Testimonials
have direct impact in helping the University secure future funding help your fellow
students who might be experiencing similar challenges. Your name and other identifiers
are not included when testimonials are shared. University administrators are required to
complete trainings on privacy and handling of your personal information. Also, University
administrators will NOT ask for your personal information, including but not limited to
Social Security number or bank account number via e-mail or over the phone. Please be
extra careful of phishing or scamming in general.
You should always consult with your assigned SRFS counselor as a first step for discussing
financial concerns. We do coordinate with other sources of emergency financial assistance,
such as funds based in the schools, to direct students’ requests to the single most
appropriate fund and maximize the number of students we can help