Student Emergency Funds

Preference for Student Emergency Funds

These funds will be given to RIC students who:

• are enrolled at least half-time as a degree student or in a certificate program
• demonstrate financial hardship due to an emergency situation, or for unanticipated and compelling circumstances that jeopardize the student’s ability to successfully continue in school
• have considered and utilized other sources of funding as appropriate, including student loans (subsidized and unsubsidized), unless not available in a sufficiently timely manner
• have not received emergency funds in the past

Eligibility includes having financial need as determined by Federal Student Aid, an office of the U.S. Department of Education. Financial need is defined as "the difference between the cost of attendance (COA) at a school and your Expected Family Contribution (EFC)."

Examples of Qualifying Expenses

The following is a list of qualifying expenses, that include but are not limited to:

• food
• housing
• healthcare (including mental health care)
• childcare
• transportation
• textbooks and course materials
• technology for learning

Please Note: Tuition & fees are no longer eligible for Student Emergency Funds. Please reach out to the Financial Aid Office to discuss options.