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:
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.
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:
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.
Student Care and Well-Being uses one application for all forms of emergency assistance, including the Acts of Kindness Fund. Please see the Emergency Assistance section of our website to see other forms of emergency assistance provided and to access the application.
