The Student Emergency Fund (SEF) was established with the intention of providing short-term financial assistance to on-campus students experiencing unforeseen and emergent situations during the academic year, that would likely impact a student’s ability to remain enrolled at the college. 

Student Emergency funding requests are reviewed weekly by the Student Emergency Fund Committee.  The committee will respond to requests within two business days. Note that the committee does not review requests over the weekend. Committee members include the following staff:

• Kim Trauceniek, Senior Associate Dean of Student for Campus Life
• Donna Sevigny, Director of Student Support
• Faith Hauger, Administrative Coordinator for Student Affairs

Students can apply for Student Emergency Funding by completing this form. When submitting a request, students should be aware that a request may be funded wholly, partially or denied.  The student will be notified of the decision via email.  Student Emergency Funding applications will only be viewed by and shared with the Student Emergency Fund committee unless additional information is necessary from an appropriate department or staff member. 

To be eligible for these support funds, an individual must:

• Be a full-time student receiving substantial need based aid at Bates. This is defined as a student with an estimated family contribution (EFC) of less than $15,000 per year.
• Be enrolled in, and on campus for, courses for the term in which funding is requested.
• Have exhausted all other possible financial resources, including student loans

The Student Emergency Fund Committee will consider funding the following requests:

• Emergency medical & dental expenses not covered by insurance. Note: Documentation from a medical provider and/or insurance provider is required. Students are also encouraged to connect with Bates Health Services for assistance with navigating Bates Health Insurance available from Wellfleet.
  • Emergency vision expenses not covered by insurance 
  • Emergency dental procedures not covered by insurance
  • Assessments required for documentation of a disability for support services
• Bereavement and/or other serious, unplanned illness-related travel expenses
  • Please be aware that verification of the emergency from a parent or guardian may be required.
• Other temporary emergency related requests

Requests for emergency assistance are not limited to those on this list.

These funds are not a replacement for financial aid. Students who apply to receive emergency funding may be asked to visit the Office of Student Financial Services to review their eligibility to receive financial aid or student loans.

The Student Emergency Fund cannot be used to cover items noted below:

• Cost of Attendance expenses including but not limited to
  • Tuition, fees or study abroad costs
  • Course-related expenses
    • Textbooks
    • Computer software
    • Laptop (purchase/repair)
  • In-semester travel  (domestic and international) 
  • Food and/or meals while living on campus and enrolled
  • Passport application and renewal fees 
  • Travel to/from campus for visa appointments in the U.S. and Canada
  • Immunizations required for travel or immigration
• Storage, including summer storage. Students with extenuating financial and personal circumstances may be eligible for very limited storage options.
• Parking tickets, library fines, legal bills or similarly preventable expenses
• Routine medical expenses (annual medical exams, dental cleanings, etc.)
• Travel/transportation to Bates at the start of the semester and travel from Bates to home or other destination at the end of the academic year.
  • Please be aware that beginning and end of semester travel expenses are included as part of a student’s cost of attendance and are included in a financial aid package that may include student loans. The Student Emergency Fund is intended to help aided students who have emergency travel needs above and beyond the allowance already included in financial aid awards.
• Retroactive reimbursement for expenses

While these costs cannot be covered by the Student Emergency Fund, financial assistance in the form of financial credit in the form of grants and scholarships or student loans may be available to some students.  To learn more, please contact the Student Financial Services.  Student Financial Services is located in Libbey Forum, 44 Mountain Ave. and can be contacted at 207-786-6096 or finaid@bates.edu.

Student Support Advisors (SSA) can also be helpful to students who are going through a challenging time. Consider reaching out to your SSA if you would like help navigating resources at Bates. 

Questions about the emergency fund should be sent via email to studentemergencyfund@bates.edu.

Giving to the Student Emergency Fund

Students who benefit from the Student Emergency Fund are deeply grateful for the support of the institution at a difficult time in their lives. The number of students benefiting from the Student Emergency Fund is limited to the availability of funds. The fund is sustained by continual contributions from alumni, parents, faculty, staff, and friends of the College to ensure continued success.

If you would like to donate funds to the Student Emergency Fund, please visit https://www.bates.edu/give.  Please select “Other” then specify the “Student Emergency Fund” in the Giving Form’s ‘Designation’ fields.