SUNY Oneonta is committed to providing a safety net for students facing unexpected obstacles that could affect their ability to pay for their education and stay in college.
Our Student Emergency Fund offers emergency assistance to help students facing an unforeseen event or an unexpected need for aid. To be eligible to apply for an emergency grant, a SUNY Oneonta student must be pursuing a bachelor’s degree, enrolled in at least six credits, have a grade-point average of at least 2.0 and be in good standing with the university.
No awards are made directly to students. Grants are paid directly to vendors (landlords, grocery stores, medical facilities, etc.). This is not a reimbursement program and does not support university-based expenses (tuition, fees, housing and meals for on campus living).
Reasons for Aid
Emergency situations that may be eligible for Student Emergency Fund assistance include:
- Homelessness
- Threat of eviction
- Medical emergency
- Natural disaster
- Domestic violence
- Theft
- Loss of employment
Eligible Expenses
Expenses that may be eligible for aid through the Student Emergency Fund include:
- Rent
- Utilities
- Clothing
- Food
- Medical expenses
- Back-up child care
- Back-up transportation
- Replacement of stolen items needed for school
About the Student Emergency Fund
The Student Emergency Fund was established in 2018 as a pilot program administered by SUNY and supported with funding from the Gerstner Philanthropies and the Heckscher Foundation for Children. When that program ended, SUNY Oneonta raised additional funds, through generous donations from our alumni and friends, to establish a permanent Student Emergency Fund administered by the university.
Through generous gifts to the Division of University Advancement’s Grow. Thrive. Live. The Future of SUNY Oneonta campaign, the fund has been fully endowed and provides up to $50,000 a year to meet students’ unanticipated needs. Since the Student Emergency Fund's creation. SUNY Oneonta has awarded nearly $410,000 in emergency grants to assist more than 450 students.