Emergency Need Request

Examples of qualifying expenses include (but are not limited to):

• Childcare costs*
• Essential utilities (e.g., electric, gas, water)*
• Food insecurity
• Fuel or travel assistance
• Housing expenses (e.g., rent, mortgage payment)*
• Emergency temporary lodging (if student is housing insecure or in an unsafe situation)*
• Medical expenses (e.g., vision and dental treatment, medication, prescriptions, when the student cannot pay, and the costs cannot be covered by insurance).*
• Textbooks and course materials*
• Tuition and student fees*
• Other financial needs arising from individual and special circumstances to be determined on a case-by-case basis

* denotes third-party payment requests.

Examples of non-qualifying expenses include (but are not limited to):

• Costs of entertainment, recreation, or non-emergency travel
• Credit card debt
• Expenses due to a lack of financial planning or overspending
• Non-essential utilities or memberships (e.g., cable, subscriptions)
• Regular vehicle maintenance or billing
• Parking tickets

• Applicants must be currently enrolled students for the semester they make the request.
• Applicants must have an immediate and unexpected financial hardship that may prevent them from completing their academic goals.
• Applicants must complete an Emergency Need Request form. Forms can be found on the College website and in the Office of the Dean of Students. The request must be accompanied by a detailed explanation of the emergency, necessary supporting documents, and/or other items requested by college staff.
• Third-party payment requires bills/invoices to be in the student’s name.
• Applicants may be required to meet with a member of the Student Persistence Workgroup.

Please note: While multiple requests during the same academic year will be accepted for review, students who submit requests for recurring support will not be eligible to receive this funding and will be referred to other resources and community agencies that can assist.

Summer 2025 Intersession Requests: Students requesting basic needs support for the Summer 2025 intersession must be enrolled in at least one course for Summer 2025 or have confirmed enrollment for Fall 2025 to be eligible for assistance.

Steps for requesting food cards, fuel cards, and Greene County Transit bus vouchers:

1. The student must submit an Emergency Need Form to request food cards, fuel cards, or Greene County Transit bus passes.
2. The request is reviewed by the Student Persistence Workgroup and, if approved, the student is instructed to pick up the card or tickets from the Office of the Dean of Students.
   • All communication will be processed through the C-GCC email; students should continuously check their email for updates to their request.

Steps for third-party payment requests:

Requests for third-party payments (all except tuition and course material requests) received within the first weeks of term, before the semester Census date, will not be processed and paid until after the Census date.

1. The student must submit an Emergency Need Request form, including a detailed explanation of the emergency need situation, necessary supporting documents, and/or other items required for review.
2. Once submitted, the request is reviewed by the committee, which considers financial circumstances, student account information, and academic progress, along with all submitted materials.
   • The student is notified via C-GCC email if additional supporting documentation is required.
3. Additional conversations and/or emails with a member of the Workgroup may be required to determine the request’s outcome.
4. If a request is approved for a third-party vendor (landlord, mechanic, etc.), payment cannot be initiated until a formal bill/invoice and a W9 document (completed by the vendor) are received.

Please note: The Student Persistence Workgroup will check with appropriate College offices for student account information to determine if the student has completed all requirements for their certificate of residency, applied for a payment plan, or may be eligible for scholarships.

Please note: Throughout the review process, committee members will check with appropriate College offices and services to review financial circumstances (e.g., financial aid, certificate of residency, scholarship, etc.), student account information, and academic progress, which will be factored into the decision-making process.

5. Additionally, the Student Persistence Workgroup may refer students to campus resources when applicable – e.g., mental health counseling, academic tutoring & coaching, health services, Workforce NY, career & transfer services.

While multiple requests during the same academic year will be accepted for review, students who submit requests for recurring support will not be eligible to receive this funding and will be referred to other resources and community agencies who may be able to assist.

• Students should expect to hear from a review committee member by college email within 5 business days of submitting food card, fuel card, or bus voucher requests.
• The timeline for third-party payment requests (see list above for eligible categories) is based on the committee’s promptly receiving necessary documentation and a W-9 from the vendor.
  • A committee member will email the student within 12 business days of receiving the request to confirm receipt and provide a status update.
  • Payment for approved third-party payment requests will be issued directly to the company.