Overview:
The Latina/o Studies Program and Latine Student Success Office (LSSO) established the Emergency Fund supported by gifts from members of the Cornell Latino Alumni Association and supporters to assist registered undergraduate students experiencing financial hardship, including undocumented and DACA students.
The fund provides grants of up to $500 to eligible students with necessary emergency expenses incurred during the fall or spring semesters that cannot be funded by other means. Allowable expenses include (but are not limited to): travel expenses relating to emergency situations (such as the death of a relative); extra basic living expenses needed due to fire, destruction, or natural disaster; replacement of stolen goods (not lost due to negligence); and emergency medical or dental expenses not covered by insurance.
Priority is given to students who have enrolled in the LSP minor or LSP courses. Students must be enrolled in a minimum of 12 credits or an approved reduced study load. Latina/o Studies administers the Emergency Fund via the student’s bursar account. The Latine Student Success Office Advisor, Simon Velasquez, will advise you of the status of your application as it is being reviewed. The information you provide here is confidential and the Latine Student Success Office approves grants anonymously.
What kinds of costs will emergency funds cover and what documentation is required?
- Emergency travel: Ticket receipts and final tickets stubs. If you applying for funding prior to departure, you must provide the final ticket stub within two weeks of your return date.
- Fire, destruction, or natural disaster: A copy of a police report, telephone confirmation from the police department, and/or written/email/phone verification from a member of the Crisis Management Team. If you have renter’s insurance, provide documentation showing your deductible.
- Replacement of stolen goods: A copy of a police report, telephone confirmation from the police department, and a receipt for the replacement product (note: luxury and non-utilitarian items will not be covered).
- Medical bills: Copy of bill, showing the amount covered by insurance or why the claim is being denied by insurance. Note that all registered Cornell students are expected to have medical insurance.
- Dental bills: Copy of bill, showing the amount covered by insurance (if applicable). If the work has yet to be performed, provide a copy of the estimate. If necessary and unavoidable, funding may be advanced to you. You will be expected to provide a final receipt within two weeks of the dental procedure being performed to avoid having funding withdrawn.
Review process:
Once your application has been received, decisions are typically made within seven business days. You will be notified by the LSSO Advisor of your application’s status at the end of that period and be informed of the next steps. Verification and confirmation of expenses is required before final reimbursement can occur. If you are homeless, do not have enough money for food, or if you do not have funding needed to cover immediate emergency travel expenses, please advise our office of your situation so we can expedite funding.
What kinds of costs are not covered:
Emergency Funds are not designed to cover standard expenses included in the budgeted cost of attendance for the academic year, non-emergency expenses, expenses that are extravagant or non-utilitarian, and so forth. Grants are on a first-come-first-served basis, and funds are limited.
Emergency Fund Application:
Find the Emergency Fund Application here. This form will take approximately 15 minutes to complete. If you have any questions, please send an email to:
Contact Information:
Simon Velasquez
Latine Student Success Office Advisor & Advising Dean
Email: st523@cornell.edu
Please visit the Office of Financial Aid for additional emergency fund resources at Cornell.
As a first-generation/low-income student, it has been difficult for me to navigate and keep up with the expenses that college entails. Thanks to the support received from the LSSO fund, I have been able to ease some of this financial burden and be able to focus on my studies knowing that I won't have to incur extra expenses caused by unexpected situations. This fund is extremely meaningful given that I have witnessed that there is a Latinx community that cares about my well-being and my progress as a student at Cornell. I am thankful to be part of a culture so colorful and caring, and that is willing to go the extra mile in order to make sure that the future generations are well supported and connected to resources. One day, I will be able to pay it forward and help others in my position, inspired by the generosity of the Latinx alumni who have fundraised the money to set up the LSSO fund. My family and I cannot thank you enough for all that you do for the community, and hope that you know how much impact your efforts have on the students that benefit from the fund. You are very much appreciated.
