Helping Hands Assistance Program

The VHCC Student Emergency Fund provides temporary, short-term financial assistance to students facing unexpected financial crises. Emergency funding is not intended to provide ongoing relief for recurring or routine expenses, nor is it meant to serve as tuition assistance or a consistent supplement for educational expenses.

Consideration will only be given to applicants who have experienced sudden financial hardship due to unforeseen emergencies and/or catastrophic events.

Important Requirement: Documentation of the unforeseen or catastrophic event (such as a utility shut-off notice, vehicle repair estimate, medical bill, or termination letter) must be attached to your application for it to be considered.

Processing & Timeline

Please allow up to one week for our team to verify your information, coordinate with other campus departments, and make a formal decision regarding your application.

Eligibility Requirements

To be eligible for consideration, a student must:

• Be currently enrolled in the semester for which they are requesting assistance
• Be enrolled at least half-time (6 credit hours)
• Have at least a 2.0 GPA and be in good standing
• Have a VHCC Faculty/Staff recommendation
• Be able to provide sufficient documentation of financial hardship
• Meet Satisfactory Academic Progress Standards (SAP)

Qualifying Examples

The following examples may include, but are not limited to:

• Natural disasters such as fire, tornado, etc.
• Uncovered costs related to unexpected/unforeseen medical expenses
• Vehicle breakdown/accident
• Loss of employment due to an unexpected lay-off
• Homelessness
• Childcare under certain circumstances and on a temporary basis
• Death of guardian, spouse, or child

• Utility Bill due to an unforeseen emergency

   

Award

If the request is approved, the Student Emergency Fund will be awarded up to $500 per student per semester, not more than twice per student; however, students may submit a request for more under extreme emergency situations. Funds awarded through the VHCC Student Emergency

Fund are not loans and do not require repayment to VHCC.

Other resources available to assist students include:

• The Phil Station Food Depot provides nutrition and personal care items
• No cost transportation to campus may be available via the College Express
• If you are the first person to attend college in your family, you may be eligible for extra support through our Student Support Services Program called Excel
• If you were formerly in foster care, our Great Expectations Program might be a good fit