The purpose of the Acts of Kindness Student Emergency Relief Fund (“Fund”) is to provide appropriate relief to eligible students of The University of Alabama who experience a qualifying event or emergency. The Fund shall strive to accomplish that purpose by:
- Encouraging supporters of UA to voluntarily support the Fund
- Providing a mechanism for such support
- Providing aid and support to UA students
Review Committee
The Fund shall be directed by a Review Committee that includes representation from the Dean of Students office, within the Division of Student Life, the office of Student Financial Aid, and the Office of Housing and Residential Communities. The Office of Student Account Services will provide consultation to the committee. This composition will prevent the University from over awarding funds to students that exceed the cost of attendance or that have negative implications for the student’s financial aid status. The Committee is intentionally small to expedite review of applications, as many student emergencies are time sensitive.
Eligibility
Persons eligible for financial assistance shall be current students of the University, who are classified as full-time or part-time students who have a documented event or emergency that has caused a financial hardship. Determination of eligibility will be made by the review committee. Persons eligible for financial assistance shall be current students of the University, who are classified as full-time or part-time students who have a documented event or emergency that has caused a financial hardship. Determination of eligibility will be made by the review committee. Examples of the kinds of needs that the Fund will consider may include, but are not limited to the following:
- Medical expenses
- Housing/household items
- Loss of transportation
- Loss of books/supplies
- Food
Qualifying Event or Emergency
Applicants of the Fund must have a documented event or emergency that has caused a financial hardship. This event or emergency must be an occurrence of any event or combination of circumstances or events that call for immediate action or any pressing need following a sudden and unexpected happening, the occurrence of which was wholly unforeseen by the applicant and beyond the applicant’s control. The event or emergency must directly impact the applicant. Events or emergencies directly affecting family members of applicants, with only an indirect effect on the applicant, are not qualifying events for which an award from the Fund will be made.
Examples of emergencies that could be considered as a basis for assistance include but are not limited to fire, natural disaster such as flood, tornado, etc. resulting in destruction of the primary residence (rental properties are excluded); loss of employment of spouse; death in immediate family if accompanied by other hardships; or life-altering accidents.
Other qualifying events include time-limited, specific events that place an applicant who otherwise was not experiencing financial distress in a position of temporary financial hardship. Temporary means that with the assistance of this Fund, the applicant could regain financial stability within a relatively short period of time. Longstanding financial problems not related to the time-limited, specific event do not meet the temporary hardship requirement and are not qualifying events for which an award from the Fund will be made.
Common life occurrences such as routine car and home repairs, car and home maintenance, legal fees, monthly bills, animal care, and living beyond one’s means are not qualifying events for which an award from the Fund will be made. Also, financial hardships caused by garnishments, payday/title loans, and student loans do not qualify for assistance.
- Standards to Provide Financial Assistance
- Financial assistance is not intended to replace all losses or to reimburse the cost of nonessential, luxury, or decorative items or services.
- Financial assistance is not intended to replace all losses or to reimburse the cost of nonessential, luxury, or decorative items or services.
- Financial assistance should be gratuitous, measured solely by need or distress, not related to services rendered, and not necessarily designed to place the recipient in the same economic position as prior to the qualifying emergency or event.
- Any benefit to the University from such financial assistance should be, at most, incidental and tenuous.
- All financial assistance shall be distributed in compliance with UA’s non-discrimination policy.
- Funds cannot be used to pay the University.
Review/Decision by Committee
- Financial Assistance shall be based on an objective review of the applicant’s need or distress caused by the qualifying even or emergency.
- Committee will award financial assistance by a majority vote of the members. All decisions are final, and there is no appeals process.
- The Committee may recommend that the applicant seek assistance from other resources before, or at the time of, providing financial assistance.
- The financial assistance awarded may not exceed the following monetary limits:
- No more than $1,000 may be awarded to a student during any 12-month period.
- No more than $3,000 may be awarded to a student during a four-year period.
- Financial assistance is limited to one award per person for the same qualifying event.
- After receipt of an award, a student must wait 4 months before applying for assistance again. The student may not resubmit an application that was previously denied.
Notification and Payment
- The applicant will be notified of the outcome of his or her case by the Review Committee.
- Payment will be made by direct deposit or by a check issued by Student Account Services. These funds will not be diverted to pay any balance owed UA. The payment will typically be made within one week after the committee’s approval.
How to Apply
Student Care and Well-Being uses one application for all forms of emergency assistance, including the Acts of Kindness Fund. Please see the Financial Assistance section of our website to see other forms of emergency assistance provided and to access the application.