Student Assistance for Financial Emergencies (SAFE)

The Student Assistance for Financial Emergencies (SAFE) program assists students who are experiencing an unexpected or unavoidable financial emergency which stands to impede their educational progress towards degree completion or personal well-being.

The Dean of Students Office awards the Student Assistance for Financial Emergencies on a non-cash, case-by-case basis. As funds are limited, the Student Assistance for Financial Emergencies program is not meant to be used on an ongoing basis for routine expenses, or for tuition expenses. The maximum request amount is of $1000.00, and students must be actively enrolled to apply for emergency financial assistance and be in good standing.

To support the SAFE program, the funds below have been established in honor of Dr. Tom Shandley, Dr. Thomas B. Price ’60, and John O. Reynolds III ’92.

Shandley Fund: Established by Carole and Marcus Weinstein and many friends and admirers in honor of Thomas C. Shandley, ÌÒñ«ÉçÇø Vice President for Student Life and Dean of Students 1994-2017. 

Price Fund: Established by Dr. Thomas B. Price ’60 in honor of his father Dr. Julian Pleasants Price ’22 and his three brothers. 

Reynolds Fund: Established in memory of John O. Reynolds III ’92 by his classmates and friends. 

Examples of an unexpected financial emergency may include, but are not limited to:

  • Health emergencies (surgeries, counseling appointments, psychiatric care, unexpected medication cost)
  • Safety needs (changing a lock, sheltering needs)
  • Replacement of essential personal belongings due to fire, theft, or a natural disaster
  • Car repairs/accident
  • Assistance with travel costs related to a death or illness of loved one
  • Housing insecurities or emergencies

Examples of ineligible expenses may include, but are not limited to:

  • Tuition, fees, room, and board at ÌÒñ«ÉçÇø or at any other institution
  • Ongoing and recurring financial needs that will continue to be an issue in the future
  • Non-emergency travel and non-essential expenses
  • Food and groceries (for help with food, toiletries, and household items, please visit Lula Bell’s)
  • Parking tickets
  • Legal representation for a disciplinary matter
  • Graduate School applications/other application fees
  • Insurance Deductibles
  • Costs for entertainment, recreation, non-emergency travel
  • Financial support for family, friends and/or others
  • Golf carts for mobility issues ()
  • Laptop repair or replacement ()

The Student Assistance for Financial Emergencies program is designed as a one-time (1) request, per academic year. The following criteria must be met to be considered for financial assistance from the
Dean of Students Office:

  • Student is actively enrolled in the current semester at the time of submitting request to apply for emergency financial assistance and is in good standing.
  • Students must be able to demonstrate immediate financial hardship resulting from emergency, accident, illness, natural disaster, or another unforeseen event.
  • The expense must be unexpected, unforeseen, and the urgent nature unavoidable.
  • You are strongly encouraged to contact the Financial Aid office at financialaid@davidson.edu to explore a possible readjustment to your financial aid package.  You can also contact the Controller's Office at studentAccounts@davidson.edu to inquire about any possible refunds to your account.
  • Only one (1) approved emergency financial assistance request per student will be granted per academic year. Students who have received one-time emergency financial assistance within the academic year of enrollment may not be eligible for additional assistance unless there are very unusual circumstances.
  • Students must complete the application in full and submit supporting documentation.

Applying to the Student Assistance for Financial Emergencies program does not automatically permit access to emergency funds. While the program is designed to provide immediate relief for unexpected or unavoidable financial emergencies, requests can be denied at discretion of the Dean of Students Office.

  • Applications submitted without supporting documentation will not be processed.
  • Documentation is requested to assess situation, determine amount approval, or provide additional options and resources.
  • After the application is submitted with appropriate documentation provided, the student will to review the request. 
  • During the meeting, eligibility requirements will be reviewed, along with the level of need and availability of the funds. The Assistant Dean of Students & Case Manager will decide whether the applicant qualifies and the appropriate funding amount to be awarded. Depending on the circumstance and availability of funds, students may be expected to contribute a small amount of percentage towards the financial need.
  • For students awarded financial aid up to the cost of attendance for the current semester, it is
    possible your financial aid will be reduced to award the emergency financial assistance. The fund amount will still be refunded to assist with your immediate need. However, the reduction in financial aid may create a charge on your student account that will need to be resolved later. You are ultimately responsible for understanding how receiving these funds may impact future financial aid and are encouraged to speak with Business Services about your long-term funding situation. Students may be taxed on funding received and there may be tax
    implications. Please contact the Controller's Office at 704-894-2208 with questions.
  • There may be a potential tax liability for the student recipient. The Dean of Students Office does not provide tax advice. Please consult your tax preparer to understand how receiving a grant may impact your individual income taxes. 
Document

How to Apply

Students must complete the formal application form in its entirety (emails will not be accepted). All applications MUST include supporting documentation. Applications submitted without supporting documentation will not be processed. Examples of supporting documentation include, but are not limited to:

  • Written statements detailing the reason for the need
  • Invoices/quotes for medical care, prescriptions, car repairs, etc. from an authorized entity
  • Lease agreements
  • Bills (e.g., utility bill, medical bill)
  • Receipts
  • Police reports for lost items
  • Unemployment paperwork or proof of loss of a job

Your supporting documentation does not need to prove your financial situation. Bank statements, texts from family/friends, etc. will not be used in the review process. Supporting documentation must be relevant to the issue that you are requesting funding for. For example, if you are requesting funds to help with a utility bill, you must attach your utility bill. If you are requesting funds to help with car repairs, you must attach an invoice, bill, or some other documentation of the cost of the repairs. If you are requesting funds for emergency travel, you must attach flight itinerary or car rental invoice, etc.

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Disbursement

If approved, funds awarded through the program will be submitted to the Controller's Office and applied to your student account. Funding will be submitted via direct deposit only. To verify that your direct deposit information is accurate or to enroll in direct deposit, contact the Controller's Office at 704-894-2208. Please be aware that disbursement may take up to five (5) business days, depending on when the request was approved.  Disbursements will NOT be available immediately and/or on same day.