Emergency Aid
The West Virginia State University Emergency Aid Program provides limited financial assistance to currently enrolled students experiencing an unexpected financial hardship that could impact their ability to remain enrolled and successfully complete the semester.
Emergency Aid is intended to help students facing unforeseen emergencies such as transportation challenges, vehicle repairs, temporary housing instability, utility assistance, food insecurity, or other unexpected expenses that place their continued enrollment at risk. Awards are based on demonstrated need, available funding, and eligibility.
Eligible students may receive assistance of up to $500. Emergency Aid is provided as a grant and does not require repayment. Funding is limited, and submitting an application does not guarantee an award.
Once a completed application and all required documentation have been received, the Emergency Aid Committee will review the request and determine eligibility and the amount of assistance to be awarded. Students will be notified of the committee’s decision as soon as possible following the review process.
The Office of Student Success understands that unexpected hardships can happen. Our goal is to provide timely support and connect students with additional campus and community resources that help remove barriers to academic success.
How to Apply
Applying for Emergency Aid is simple and confidential. Before beginning your application, please review the eligibility requirements below and gather any documentation related to your emergency.
Application Information
- Complete the Emergency Aid application using your official WVSU student email account.
- Most applications can be completed in approximately 20 minutes.
- Be prepared to upload documentation that verifies your emergency and the associated expense.
- Applications are reviewed by the Emergency Aid Committee. Students will be notified of the committee’s decision as soon as possible after the review process.
Apply Here: Emergency Aid Application
Eligibility Requirements
To be considered for Emergency Aid, students must:
- Be a currently enrolled, degree-seeking student at West Virginia State University.
- Be enrolled in at least six (6) credit hours during the semester in which assistance is requested.
- Be meeting Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) requirements, including a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.0.
- Demonstrate an unexpected financial emergency that could impact their ability to remain enrolled.
- Submit a completed Emergency Aid application along with all required supporting documentation.
Eligible Expenses
Emergency Aid may be available for unforeseen expenses such as:
- Emergency transportation or vehicle repairs
- Temporary housing or rent assistance due to an unexpected hardship
- Utility assistance
- Food insecurity
- Medical or dental emergencies
- Childcare resulting from an unexpected circumstance
- Other documented emergencies reviewed on a case-by-case basis
Expenses Not Covered
Emergency Aid cannot be used for:
- Tuition and university fees
- Enrollment deposits
- Parking fines or other university fines
- Routine living expenses that are not the result of an unexpected emergency
- Regular room and board charges
- Other non-emergency educational expenses
Required Documentation
Supporting documentation is required for all requests. Examples include:
- Vehicle repair estimate or invoice
- Utility disconnect notice or past-due bill
- Medical or dental bill
- Eviction notice or past-due rent statement
- Childcare invoice
- Other documentation that verifies the emergency expense
Submitting complete documentation helps expedite the review process. Incomplete applications may delay a funding decision.