Emergency Financial Assistance Grants for Individuals (Alabama)

Emergency Financial Assistance Grants for Individuals (Alabama) is sponsored by Best Buy HOPE Fund (administered by local Community Action Agencies). This program provides targeted aid to eligible employees of a specific major national retail company who are experiencing unexpected personal financial hardships due to unforeseen events like natural disasters or sudden medical costs.

Learn about financial assistance you may qualify for to cover non-tuition expenses such as housing, travel and more. * Apply for Financial Assistance * SGA Needs-Based Scholarship and Emergency Loan Program * Tide Together Support Fund * Acts of Kindness Emergency Relief Fund ## Apply for Financial Assistance Students in need of financial assistance should complete the application below.

The information you provide in the application helps our staff determine the best way to assist you. For questions about this program contact us at 205-348-2461. ## SGA Scholarship and Loan ### Joe Espy SGA Scholarship Students in need of essential financial assistance due to a **temporary hardship** or **unexpected emergency** are encouraged to apply for a need-based scholarship award from the Joe Espy SGA Scholarship Fund.

TheStudent Government Association(SGA) offers 30-day interest free emergency loans up to $500 for full-time students. An application must not have been delinquent on any former emergency loans, and all loans must be paid back with in 30 days of receipt or the end of the term. For questions about this program contact the SGA office at 205-348-2742.

Availability to apply online starts after classes begin for the current term and is available until 30 days before the end of the term. Students can apply in-person at Student Account Services between 30 days before the end of the term, and the last day of the term. ## Tide Together Support Fund The Tide Together Student Support Fund allows students the opportunity to access short term financial help in times of need.

This fund was initially established by the Delta Mu chapter of Delta Delta Delta as an assistance program and is administered by Student Care and Well-Being. ## Acts of Kindness Emergency Relief Fund The purpose of the Acts of Kindness Student Emergency Relief Fund (“Fund”) is to provide appropriate relief to eligible students of The University of Alabama who experience a qualifying event or emergency.

The Fund shall strive to accomplish that purpose by: * Encouraging supporters of UA to voluntarily support the Fund * Providing a mechanism for such support * Providing aid and support to UA students The Fund shall be directed by a Review Committee that includes representation from the Dean of Students office, within the Division of Student Life, the office of Student Financial Aid, and the Office of Housing and Residential Communities.

The Office of Student Account Services will provide consultation to the committee. This composition will prevent the University from over awarding funds to students that exceed the cost of attendance or that have negative implications for the student’s financial aid status. The Committee is intentionally small to expedite review of applications, as many student emergencies are time sensitive.

Persons eligible for financial assistance shall be current students of the University, who are classified as full-time or part-time students who have a documented event or emergency that has caused a financial hardship. Determination of eligibility will be made by the review committee.

Persons eligible for financial assistance shall be current students of the University, who are classified as full-time or part-time students who have a documented event or emergency that has caused a financial hardship. Determination of eligibility will be made by the review committee.

Examples of the kinds of needs that the Fund will consider may include, but are not limited to the following: * Housing/household items ### Qualifying Event or Emergency Applicants of the Fund must have a documented event or emergency that has caused a financial hardship.

This event or emergency must be an occurrence of any event or combination of circumstances or events that call for immediate action or any pressing need following a sudden and unexpected happening, the occurrence of which was wholly unforeseen by the applicant and beyond the applicant’s control. The event or emergency must directly impact the applicant.

Events or emergencies directly affecting family members of applicants, with only an indirect effect on the applicant, are not qualifying events for which an award from the Fund will be made.

Examples of emergencies that could be considered as a basis for assistance include but are not limited to fire, natural disaster such as flood, tornado, etc. resulting in destruction of the primary residence (rental properties are excluded); loss of employment of spouse; death in immediate family if accompanied by other hardships; or life-altering accidents.

Other qualifying events include time-limited, specific events that place an applicant who otherwise was not experiencing financial distress in a position of temporary financial hardship. Temporary means that with the assistance of this Fund, the applicant could regain financial stability within a relatively short period of time.

Longstanding financial problems not related to the time-limited, specific event do not meet the temporary hardship requirement and are not qualifying events for which an award from the Fund will be made. Common life occurrences such as routine car and home repairs, car and home maintenance, legal fees, monthly bills, animal care, and living beyond one’s means are not qualifying events for which an award from the Fund will be made.

Also, financial hardships caused by garnishments, payday/title loans, and student loans do not qualify for assistance. * Standards to Provide Financial Assistance * Financial assistance is not intended to replace all losses or to reimburse the cost of nonessential, luxury, or decorative items or services.

* Financial assistance should be gratuitous, measured solely by need or distress, not related to services rendered, and not necessarily designed to place the recipient in the same economic position as prior to the qualifying emergency or event. * Any benefit to the University from such financial assistance should be, at most, incidental and tenuous.

* All financial assistance shall be distributed in compliance with UA’s non-discrimination policy. * Funds cannot be used to pay the University. ### Review and Decision by Committee * Financial Assistance shall be based on an objective review of the applicant’s need or distress caused by the qualifying even or emergency.

* Committee will award financial assistance by a majority vote of the members. All decisions are final, and there is no appeals process. * The Committee may recommend that the applicant seek assistance from other resources before, or at the time of, providing financial assistance.

* The financial assistance awarded may not exceed the following monetary limits: * No more than $1,000 may be awarded to a student during any 12-month period. * No more than $3,000 may be awarded to a student during a four-year period. * Financial assistance is limited to one award per person for the same qualifying event.

* After receipt of an award, a student must wait 4 months before applying for assistance again. The student may not resubmit an application that was previously denied. ### Notification and Payment * The applicant will be notified of the outcome of his or her case by the Review Committee.

* Payment will be made by direct deposit or by a check issued by Student Account Services. These funds will not be diverted to pay any balance owed UA. The payment will typically be made within one week after the committee’s approval.

### Apply for the Acts of Kindness Emergency Relief Fund Student Care and Well-Being uses one application for all forms of emergency assistance. Use the button below to apply. The information you provide in the application helps our staff determine the best way to assist you.

If you have any questions, please contact us at 205-348-2461.