Student Emergency Aid Fund

You are eligible to apply for the Student Emergency Aid Fund if you:

• Are enrolled at HFC in good standing and attending class when you make your request (and when it is approved).
• Fully complete the Student Emergency Aid Fund application (see above).
• Submit any necessary supporting documentation of your need. Requests for documentation are handled on a case-by-case basis.

Also: While the FAFSA is not required, we strongly encourage you to submit the FAFSA. There are different types of emergency aid, and some do require you to have a FAFSA on file. Completing the FAFSA might give you access to different types of emergency aid.

The Student Emergency Aid Fund can be used for expenses such as:

• Unanticipated car repairs or transportation issues
• Family emergencies
• Unanticipated loss of a job
• Unanticipated homelessness
• Utilities shut-off notice
• Food insecurity (not having access to enough food)
• Tuition (limited support for tuition is available only if you are in your final semester at HFC or you are within 6 credit hours of completing your degree)
• Other types of emergencies that might prevent you from successfully completing your current educational goals.

We understand that emergencies are urgent. We will review your application as soon as we receive it. You can expect to hear back from us within 2 to 3 business days.

Please be sure to provide an accurate phone number and email address where you can be reached. If you do not hear back within 3 days after applying for funds, contact Melissa Daniel at madaniel@hfcc.edu

Please note that applying for the Student Emergency Aid Fund does not guarantee that you will receive money. The more information you can provide about your emergency situation, the better we will understand your needs. Please DO NOT include private information such as intimate health details, the names of minor children, financial account numbers, or similar private details.

All Student Emergency Aid Fund grants are one-time grants, based on your specific emergency circumstances.

It depends, and we will determine this before awarding emergency aid.

There are instances where the awarding of emergency aid would impact your financial aid award. It is not uncommon to reduce Federal Work Study or Pending loan awards to add emergency aid.

We look at each student on a case-by-case basis and would not award emergency aid if it would result any anything negative related to your financial aid.

If you do receive emergency aid, you may be required to disclose the Emergency Aid Funds on your tax return. We recommend you consult with a tax professional about this. You may contact Michigan Free Tax Help (or call 211) or other services for free assistance with your tax return.

All Student Emergency Aid Fund grants are one-time grants, based on your specific emergency circumstances.

However, you are permitted to apply for more than one emergency aid grant if you have new emergency circumstances. We will require documentation for all funds requested, and you will be limited to no more than one emergency aid grant per HFC semester in which you are enrolled.

Please review the eligibility criteria on this page before you apply for a grant from the Student Emergency Aid Fund.

Some of the ways we can help you at no charge:

• Personal counseling
• Hawks’ Nest food pantry
• Tutoring
• Accommodations for special needs
• Assisting you as you write papers for your classes
• External community resources for health, wellness, and personal needs

Let us know if you have needs not mentioned here. We will try to help, or refer you to someone who can help.

To donate to this fund, go to the secure HFC Foundation giving webpage and designate a gift of any amount to this fund.

The Women's Recognition Luncheon, held in March each year, is a fundraiser to support the Student Emergency Aid Fund.