Greater Rochester Area Emergency Grants (Location Requirement)

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

Students face many non-academic challenges during their time at SUNY Empire State University due to unforeseen and unexpected fiscal challenges. The student emergency grant fund will provide a one-time emergency grant to assist students in alleviating these non-academic challenges. 

To qualify for an emergency fund grant, you will have to complete the form to detail how the emergency grant money will be used. Students demonstrating the most need will be given priority to available funding. To increase your chances of a grant,  you can upload documentation demonstrating your financial need. You will need to explain how these costs will affect your studies. 

Eligibility: 

  • Students must be actively enrolled at SUNY Empire State University
  • Must be registered for at least one Fall 2023 class. 
  • Students must have a permanent address in New York's Monroe, Genesee, Livingston, Ontario, Orleans, and Wayne Counties.

One-time emergency fund grants will support students with the following: 

  • Urgent need for food or groceries
  • Critical past due partial rent/mortgage payments 
  • Emergency housing or hotel
  • Child care/Eldercare
  • Mental health provider co-pay or sliding scale fee for self 
  • Needs related to personal safety (domestic violence or similar)
  • Transportation (public transportation, fuel, or car repair)
  • Critical past due utility payments (electrical, natural gas, or internet)
  • Medications and other costs related to emergent medical care

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
  • Cost related to technology (computers, printers)


The ESL Charitable Foundation, Inc donated these student emergency funds.

We use Submittable to accept and review our submissions.