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Student Emergency Grant

Grant Information

Purpose: MCC Student Emergency Grant provides one-time assistance to students experiencing a financial emergency to assist them in staying in college.

  • An “emergency” is a short-term situation, beyond the student’s control, occurring during the quarter of the request which threatens his/her home and/or threatens his/her ability to continue studies at MCC.
  • All other resources, including Student Financial Aid, must have been considered and are insufficient, unavailable, or not available in a timely manner.
  • Only expenses that are of an emergency nature will be considered as an appropriate use of this grant. Expenses must have been incurred during the quarter for which assistance is being requested.
  • Approved grant requests will be paid directly to the vendor. No payments will be made directly to the student.

Eligibility: MCC Students who meet the following criteria are eligible to apply for assistance:

  • Enrolled in the current academic quarter.
  • Enrolled in six or more quarter credit hours in a degree-seeking program of study.
  • Successfully completed at least one quarter immediately prior to requesting assistance.
  • Student is only eligible for a grant once.

The number of students who can be served by the Student Emergency Grant is subject to the availability of funds. Because there is a limited amount of funding available, the maximum amount awarded for any student/family will be no more than $1,500.

FAQs

Who qualifies for assistance from the Student Emergency Grant?

The Student Emergency Grant application is open to local and out-of-state; domestic (non-international) students, including both DACA and undocumented, who are facing emergencies which are impeding their ability to continue forward in their degree program. Student needs to be:

  • Enrolled in the current academic quarter.
  • Enrolled in six or more quarter credit hours in a degree-seeking program of study.
  • Student is only eligible for a grant once.

What types of expenses does the Student Emergency Grant cover?

The Student Emergency Grant can cover a number of expenses and situations a student is facing. Examples include:

  • Rent/short-term housing costs
  • Utility bills (electric, gas, etc.)
  • Unexpected medical bills
  • Documented theft or damage of course textbooks and/or other essential academic items
  • Loss of academic tools from fire or theft
  • Dislocation from home due to domestic violence or natural disasters
  • Temporary job loss
  • Unexpected childcare costs to cover academic periods
  • Other (as approved by the review committee)

What types of expenses are not covered by the Student Emergency Grant?

The types of expenses that are not covered by the Student Emergency Grant include but are not limited to:

  • Legal expenses (for divorce or child custody cases, civil or criminal cases, etc.)
  • Taxes
  • Credit card bills
  • Late fees, service fees, and fines on the student’s account
  • Tuition, fees and books
  • Routine car maintenance expenses (such as oil changes, filters), mechanical repairs (engine/transmission replacement), vehicle insurance, or purchase of a vehicle
  • Previous debts or past due balances owed to MCC or other colleges/universities

Can international students apply for assistance from the Student Emergency Grant?

At this time, international students do not qualify. If this policy changes, we will communicate this.

Do I need to be a full-time, degree-seeking student?

In order to be eligible to apply for assistance from the Student Emergency Grant, you must be a current MCC degree-seeking student and have at least one successful quarter immediately prior to making the request. However, full-time enrollment is not required. You must be enrolled in a minimum of 6 credits for the quarter in which you are seeking assistance.

Is there a minimum total number of credits I need to have completed or a minimum GPA I need to have to qualify for the Student Emergency Grant?

A specific amount of credit hours already obtained is not required. There is not a specific minimum GPA; however, you must maintain and be meeting SAP (Standards of Academic Progress) to qualify. This will vary by program and career level.

How do I apply for an emergency grant?

A student interested in applying for an emergency grant is encouraged to contact an MCC Advocacy Counselor to discuss their current emergency situation and available community resources. A student must explore other forms of support or resolution prior to completing an application. The student must have exhausted all other means of support and still be unable to pay financial obligations by the due date.

What does the application consist of?

The application is an online form. There are questions pertaining to personal/demographic data, academic information and financial information, and a personal statement by you, the student, to clearly define the emergency situation you are currently facing and how it is preventing you from continuing in school. A section for attachments is available for uploading supporting or additional documentation. No references/recommendations are needed.

Is there someone I can contact if I need assistance filling out the application?

If you aren’t sure of what is being asked or requested on the application, you may reach out to an MCC Advocacy Counselor for assistance.

Is the Student Emergency Grant available on a first-come, first-served basis?

Once the funds are exhausted, additional requests will not be considered until we have secured more funding.

What is the application deadline?

The application is open as long as funding is available. Student must be enrolled in the quarter in which they are requesting a grant.

How many times can I apply for and receive an emergency grant?

The purpose of the MCC Student Emergency Grant is to provide one-time assistance to students experiencing a financial emergency during the quarter.

How soon can I expect to find out if I have received an emergency grant?

From the time of application submission, the review process can take up to 4 business days for a decision, unless an urgent decision is warranted. If an urgent decision is warranted, you will receive the decision within 24-48 hours. However, if the application is received after normal business hours, on the weekend, or during a holiday, the process will pick up the following business day which may delay the decision.

If I am approved for the grant, how will the grant money be disbursed?

If approved, you will be notified via your student email account with details of approved expenses to be paid and a request for any other information that may be required for payment. MCC will mail out check(s) to appropriate vendors for payment. MCC will not make any checks payable directly to students.

Are the grants received from the emergency grant considered taxable income?

Please be sure to speak to your tax accountant or tax advisor for more information about the impacts on your taxes.

Do I have to pay the Emergency Grant back?

No, the emergency grant will not have to be paid back to MCC as long as you meet all conditions of the grant, which is specific to each student’s situation.

What is the likelihood my situation will be approved for a grant?

There are many factors that are weighed to determine if your situation will be approved for receiving an emergency grant. First, there must be grants available in the account to award. Second, you must meet the qualifications to apply. Once qualified, the quality of information provided in the application and any supplemental documentation will hold significant weight. Additionally, a student’s degree progression (how close you are to degree completion/conferral), SAP status (Standards of Academic Progress), and financial situation will all be considered.

Apply for the Student Emergency Grant