Greater Rochester Area Emergency Grants (Location Requirement)

SUNY Empire cannot guarantee funding to all students who apply as we have limited availability of funds.

Grant requests cannot exceed $500. 

Students face many non-academic challenges during their time at Empire State University due to unforeseen and unexpected fiscal challenges. The student emergency grant fund will provide emergency grant funding to assist students in alleviating these non-academic challenges. Students may be awarded a maximum of $500 per Rochester Area Emergency Grant application, and are permitted to reapply at any point, to receive up to $1000 in grant support during their time as a student. 

To qualify for an emergency fund grant, you will have to complete the following form to detail how the emergency grant money will be used. The application will prompt you to explain how receiving grant funding will impact your ability to continue your studies. Students demonstrating the most need will be given priority for the available funding. To increase your chances of receiving a grant, you may upload documentation demonstrating your financial need, though this is an optional step.

Eligibility: 

  • Applicants must be registered for at least one class in the current term at Empire State University
  • Applicants must NOT have previously received more than one Rochester Area Emergency Grant from Empire State University
  • Students must have a permanent address in New York's Monroe, Genesee, Livingston, Ontario, Orleans, and Wayne Counties.

Emergency fund grants will support students with the following: 

  • Urgent need for food or groceries
  • Critical past due rent/mortgage payments 
  • Emergency housing
  • Child care/Eldercare
  • Physical and mental health copays, medications, or other costs related to emergent medical care 
  • Needs related to personal safety
  • Transportation
  • Critical past due utility payments
  • Textbook, lab kits, and essential technology-related expenses

Funds cannot be used for:

  • Tuition, fees, or prior learning assessments
  • Non-essential expenses such as entertainment
  • Parking fees or parking ticket fees
  • Legal fines/expenses

The Empire State University Emergency Grant is generously supported by the ESL Charitable Foundation.  

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