COVID-19 Emergency Fund

*Due to overwhelming response we are no longer accepting applications.*

*If funding becomes available again, notification of re-opening will be posted here*

The COVID19 Emergency Fund provides short-term support for students with unexpected financial need as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. This fund was made possible by generous donations from the RIT community.

Interested in donating? Visit https://crowdfunding.rit.edu/?cfpage=project&project_id=35490

Criteria

  • Awards do not typically exceed $1,000 and must be used to meet the need identified in the application
  • A student may receive a maximum of one award per semester
  • Awards dependent on fund availability.

Usage

Awards from the Fund can be used for any of the following emergency or required expenses that cannot be paid due to unforeseen circumstances:

  • Textbooks and similar required academic materials
  • Tuition and instructional fees (up to $1,000)
  • Housing costs such as rent or utility payments
  • Grocery purchases
  • Personal vehicle and travel expenses arising from an unexpected relocation due to loss of housing
  • Medical and dental bills (new expenses only – fund awards cannot be used for outstanding balances)
  • Childcare costs
  • Any other emergency expenses arising from unforeseeable circumstances related to the COVID-19 pandemic

COVID-19 Fund awards cannot be used for the following:

  • Legal expenses, including payment of fines
  • Study abroad costs
  • Tax payments

Upon completion of the application, you should expect to receive a decision from the Case Management office within one week; however, this time frame may vary depending on the number of applications received.

Please note that if you are a recipient of federal or state financial aid, awards from this fund may be counted as a resource in your financial aid for the following academic year.

During the COVID-19 national emergency, Internal Revenue Code (IRC) section 139 makes payments deemed "relief payments" not included in taxable income. As such, the payment is not income and tax reporting is not required on any form (e.g., Form 1042-S, Form 1099-MISC, Form W-2). While IRC section 139 does not impose strict criteria, payments must be made to reimburse or pay reasonable and necessary personal, family, or living incurred as a result of a "qualified disaster".

Funds will be disbursed to students via PayPal. If you do not have a PayPal account, you must create one here: https://www.paypal.com/us/home. PayPal accounts are free to create.

Contact mhjhcw@rit.edu with questions.

You can apply for an award from the COVID-19 Emergency Fund here: http://cglink.me/s28234.