How to Apply

Emergency Assistance Fund

The Emergency Assistance Fund provides one-time monetary support to currently enrolled, full-time graduate or undergraduate domestic and international students with extenuating circumstances who are experiencing short-term financial hardship and meet the program's eligibility requirements.

Financial support for the program is provided by the SVA Alumni Society and Visual Arts Foundation. The fund is administered by the SVA Alumni Society and must be sustained by continual contributions from alumni, parents, faculty, staff and friends of the College.

Available Funding:

The funds allocated for this program are limited. The number of students served is subject to available funding.

**Students who wish to apply must write to alumnisociety@sva.edu requesting access to the online application portal.**

Eligibility and Application Guidelines:

Applicants must be currently enrolled, full-time graduate or undergraduate students experiencing immediate financial hardship resulting from an emergency, accident, or another unexpected critical incident. The expense must be unforeseen and the urgent nature unavoidable. Up to $500 may be requested. Students may receive one grant during their SVA career. This funding is not intended to reimburse expenses that have already been paid or to replace or supplement existing financial aid. Funds cannot be used to cover tuition. If funds are granted, they do not have to be repaid. Those interested are required to complete an online application. Applicants must complete all questions in full and may be required to answer follow-up questions. Incomplete applications or applications lacking in appropriate detail and clearly outlining extenuating circumstances may be disqualified.

Examples of qualifying needs due to short-term financial hardship include but are not limited to:

• Food
• Emergency travel
• Temporary loss of employment
• Theft of essentials including computers, books and clothes
• Art and other school supplies
• Prescription drug copays
• Surgery, dental work, or eyecare (e.g., buying eyeglasses) required as a result of an accident and not covered by insurance
• Travel necessitated by the death or illness of an immediate family member
• Temporary housing needs (such as due to fire, theft, or a natural disaster)
• Loss of child care

The following needs are not considered emergency needs and are ineligible:

• Normal and anticipated academic expenses already covered through financial aid (tuition, housing, fees, health insurance, and books)
• Fines and fees (such as library fines or other expenses mistakenly incurred or preventable) 
• Parking tickets
• Alcohol and drug-related offenses, fines and court fees; penalties, fines, tickets, legal fees, or jail bonds
• Funds to pay back prior loans 
• Auto, appliance and furniture purchases 
• Cash requirements that normally would be anticipated
• Costs for entertainment, recreation, or non-emergency travel, or travel over breaks (Thanksgiving, Winter or Spring)
• Student conferences 
• Expenditures resulting from poor financial management
• Phones
• Computer replacement due to negligence

Questions? Contact alumnisociety@sva.edu.

For complete information regarding the Alumni Scholarship Awards, including eligibility and how to apply, please click here or visit sva.edu/asa.

Questions?

Contact Miranda Pierce

alumnisociety@sva.edu

The Alumni Society Housing Scholarship will not be offered for the 2021 - 2022 school year.

This scholarship is by invitation only.

The intent of the Alumni Society Housing Scholarship is to provide on-campus housing for a student who otherwise would commute from home. The award will cover the cost of on-campus housing for the duration of study at SVA (not to exceed four years). The scholarship does not cover the cost of meals, and all applicants must be able to cover the costs of food and other out-of-pocket living expenses. The scholarship may not be deferred. The scholarship does not cover summer housing.

Please note, eligible Housing Scholarship applicants are pre-selected from applicants already accepted to SVA for the Fall semester, based on the following criteria:

• Incoming freshman (non-transfer student)
• Home address is within 25 mile radius from zip code 10010
• Minimum high school GPA of 3.0 (as on file with the College Office of Admissions)
• Demonstrated financial need

Questions about eligibility or the application process?

Contact: Miranda Pierce

alumnisociety@sva.edu

The Alumni Society Housing Scholarship will not be offered for the 2021 - 2022 school year.