About the Student Emergency Fund
The Student Emergency Fund (SEF) is designed to provide one-time, limited emergency financial assistance (approximately $50 – $300) to Carleton University students experiencing sudden short-term financial hardship related to critical needs. When seeking student emergency funding, you will be connected to the Care and Support team to help assess your overall needs, and they will assist you in navigating additional supports that may be useful in your situation.
Eligibility Criteria
To be eligible for the SEF you must:
- Be a registered Carleton student (domestic, international, undergraduate and graduate students are eligible to apply)
- Be ineligible for alternative emergency funds such as the CUPE 4600 emergency fund
- Be experiencing an unforeseeable situation resulting in short-term financial hardship
- Have verified your eligibility for government financial assistance
- Connect with a Manager of Care and Support to explore additional supports
Please note the following list of common situations is not comprehensive, and funding will be considered as part of a holistic needs assessment with the Care and Support team. Funding does not replace losses experienced but provides one-time, limited monetary relief (approximately $50 – $300) to address basic and immediate needs.
Situations that MAY qualify for limited funding
- Unexpected situations such as fires, floods, theft
- Domestic abuse situations
- Unexpected prescription medication costs not covered by CUSA or GSA health benefits (please note funding is limited to a maximum of $300 and cannot provide full coverage)
- Unexpected homelessness
- Temporary food insecurity
Situations that DO NOT qualify for funding
- Travel
- Technology
- Rent
- Student fees/tuition
- Debts
- Job loss or ongoing financial hardship
- Anticipated future hardship
- Costs related to being an academic student
If you’re not sure whether you meet the criteria for the SEF, we still encourage you to apply. Please include as much information as you feel comfortable sharing. Our team reviews every application and will let you know if you qualify.
Review and Qualification Process
- Complete this form to apply for the SEF.
- The SEF team will review your application and assess your eligibility.
- If eligible, you will receive an email inviting you to meet with the Care & Support Team to discuss your situation and explore other resources in addition to limited emergency funding considerations.
- If you qualify for limited emergency funding, the Care and Support Team will outline the process with you in detail.
Limitations
While Carleton University will continue to support students in need through the SEF, it is important to recognize the financial limitations of the program. The SEF does not have the financial capacity to supplement large financial loss. This is where government financial assistance programs play a key role. The federal and provincial governments of Canada have created several financial support mechanisms for residents and citizens of Canada – including international students, temporary foreign workers and permanent residents. Other support options outside of funding may be provided to you as part of your request for student emergency funding.