Student Emergency Fund

Student looking for aid.

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.

As of July 2022, more than $892,000 has been given and pledged toward endowing the Student Emergency Fund, marking significant progress toward the Division of University Advancement’s Grow. Thrive. Live. The Future of SUNY Oneonta campaign goal of raising $1 million to fully endow the fund and provide $50,000 a year to meet students’ unanticipated needs. Since the Student Emergency Fund's creation. SUNY Oneonta has awarded more than $365,000 in emergency grants to assist 400 students.

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