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School of Communication Student Emergency Fund

The School of Communication (SOC) Student Emergency Fund was established to provide small, emergency financial assistance grants for enrolled SOC students when they encounter an unexpected, immediate, and temporary personal hardship that puts at risk their health and wellbeing and their ability to successfully progress in their course work toward degree completion. The opportunity to apply for emergency funding is available to currently matriculated SOC students throughout the fiscal year (FY) on a first come, first served basis until committed funds are exhausted and does not have application deadlines. Please read eligibility and guidelines below before starting your application.

Eligibility

  • Student must be registered and enrolled as a declared SOC undergraduate major or enrolled in an SOC graduate or doctoral degree program, with no violations of the AU conduct code on their record. Failure to re-enroll in SOC in the following fall semester may result in need for student to repay the SOC Student Emergency Fund.
  • Undergraduate students who have a declared SOC major and have successfully completed at least 12 credits of coursework and graduate students who are generally in good academic standing and have successfully completed at least 9 credits of coursework at SOC. Requests for students not in good standing will be considered on a case by case basis.
  • A student may receive funds from the SOC Emergency Fund totaling no more than $500 per academic year (August-August). A student may receive emergency funding a maximum of twice during their enrollment at American University, for a total not to exceed $1,000 per student. Students may be eligible for summer funding if they are registered and enroll as a SOC student for the following fall semester or they are graduating by the end of the current academic year. (Graduate students in a one year program are eligible for a maximum of $500.)
  • Student has, in good faith, considered all possible financial resources including family resources, loans through AU’s Office of Financial Aid or scholarships through internal and external resources, and have deemed them insufficient, unavailable or not available within the timeframe needed. Funds are not intended to substitute or supplement existing financial aid packages.
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Guidelines
Examples
Award Process

Only requests for emergency funds which involve a one-time, unavoidable expense will be considered. The fund cannot cover long-term or continuous situations or pay tuition and student or course fees. (Please see other community-based resources to support ongoing issues at end of the document.)

  • As long as emergency funds are available, SOC Student Emergency funds are awarded on a case by case basis after considering the following factors:
    • the level of impact the emergency/hardship is having on the student’s academic progress
    • overall personal well-being
    • the availability of funds at the time of the request (funds are allocated on a FY basis, July 1-June 30 each year)
  • The fund covers unexpected expenses incurred no more than 30 days before or after student’s application submission date.
  • Student must attest that their statements are true and correct to the best of their knowledge and made in compliance with the terms of the AU Student Conduct Code.
  • Student must complete the application in its entirety and provide supporting documentation of financial hardship (i.e. bills, estimates, notices, photos/videos, etc.) if warranted by the situation before the SOC Emergency Fund Committee will take action on the application.
  • Awarded emergency funding may be classified as taxable income to the recipient and require the University to make appropriate withholdings and report the payment information to the IRS.
  • All funds are awarded solely at the discretion of the School of Communication and decisions are final. No appeals will be considered.

Examples of eligible expenses consider for funding

Please review the list of emergencies to be considered, but not limited to below. (Additional situations may qualify based on specific circumstances.)

  • Unanticipated medical, vision, dental, and mental health expenses as well as associated medications and travel costs not covered by insurance. (Note: In certain cases, AU’s Dean of Students office may need to be apprised of the situation, with confidentiality being respected as applicable.)
  • Travel expenses in the event of serious illness or death in the applicant’s immediate family (parent/guardian, sibling, grandparent).
  • Academic necessities outside of tuition and student fees. These necessities include educational materials/supplies not incorporated in the cost of attendance.
  • Rent support for students in immediate and imminent need of housing or facing eviction.
  • Essential utilities (i.e. electric, water) not incorporated in the cost of attendance that are in danger of being turned off.

  • Emergency grocery, food or personal hygiene item needs. (Please also avail yourself of resources at the AU Market Food Pantry to help support your needs.)

  • Replacement of essential personal belongings due to fire, theft, or natural disaster that are not covered by insurance.
  • Personal safety-related needs (i.e. changing of a lock at home, temporary relocation).

Examples of expenses not eligible for funding

  • Tuition, on-campus room and board, student fees, insurance, and study abroad expenses
  • Legal/court fines, counsel, or fees.
  • Parking permits or tickets, library fines, or other similar expenses.
  • Non-essential services and revolving credit line payments (including but not limited to cable, credit card, cell phone, subscriptions to streaming services or licenses, memberships, etc.).
  • Costs of entertainment, conferences/professional development opportunities, recreation, food, or non-emergency travel.
  • Personal computer or equipment (cameras, etc.) repair or purchase. (In certain instances, short term loaner equipment may be available from SOC Tech Service.)
  • Long-term coverage of any expenses beyond one month (30 days).
  • Funding applications will be acknowledged within four (4) business days by a Student Emergency Fund committee member. Applications are reviewed by this small committee of SOC staff and faculty leadership, appointed by the dean. SOC will seek, to the best of its ability, to share a timely decision with the applicant, within six (6) business days. (Though we will endeavor to expedite payment, actual disbursement of payments/awards can take up to 21 days as they will be paid via direct deposit/ACH or check.)
  • All emergency fund requests are confidential, and details will only be shared amongst the administration offices needed to process the request. No information will be shared with a third party unless the student explicitly gives permission or reporting is required by law in instances of Title IX violations or crimes covered under the Clery Act
  • Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis so funds can be awarded at any point in the year based on the availability of funds. Applications must be complete, with all required supporting documentation provided, before they will be considered by the committee.
  • If further clarification about the situation and urgency of funds is needed, a committee representative may request a discussion with the applicant.
  • At the committee’s option, partial awards may be made as full funding is not guaranteed. The amount of funds distributed to a student will not exceed one thousand dollars ($1,000) during their enrollment at AU SOC.
  • If awarded grant funds, preferred payment to the student is through reimbursement.

Please note that actual disbursement of payments/awards can take up to 21 days as reimbursements will be paid via direct deposit/ACH or check, but every effort will be made to quickly process payment. Finance may need to contact you for your banking information if it is not already in AU's direct deposit system.

SOC Student Emergency Fund1

Your confidential application will be acknowledged within 4 business days (excluding AU holidays) by the SOC Dean's Office. SOC aims to provide a timely decision within 6 business days.

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Questions?

Please direct any and all questions to socemergencyfund@american.edu.

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