Student Emergency Funds

The Student Emergency Fund (SEF) provides financial assistance to eligible Moraine Park Technical College (MPTC) students who are enrolled and actively attending classes.

The fund is designed to help students facing an unexpected financial hardship that could interfere with their ability to continue their education at MPTC.

Before applying, please review the eligibility requirements, eligible and ineligible expenses, award information and application process to determine whether you qualify for assistance.

Student Eligibility Requirements

Students experiencing an unexpected financial emergency may be eligible for assistance through one of several funding sources. Funding is limited and awarded based on eligibility requirements, available funds and documented need.

Students must meet all applicable eligibility requirements to receive emergency funding.

Basic Eligibility

Students must meet one of the following criteria:

Have a cumulative GPA of 2.0 or higher and be enrolled in a financial aid-eligible program (click here to view eligible programs under “Are You Eligible?”), or
Have a completed FAFSA on file and be eligible for a Pell Grant.

Enrollment Requirement

Be enrolled and actively attending classes during the term for which funding is requested.

Documentation Requirement

Include documentation to the emergency fund application demonstrating the financial hardship is due to an emergency, accident, illness or other unexpected circumstance.
Documentation must identify:
- The nature of the emergency or expense,
- The amount owed, and
- The third party to whom the payment is due.

Examples of Acceptable Documentation

Eviction notice
Accident report
Medical records or bills
Utility disconnection or past-due notice
Layoff notice
Vehicle or home repair estimate
Billing statement
Other documentation supporting the emergency expense

Student Emergency Fund Awards

MPTC has multiple emergency funding sources. Each has different eligibility requirements, eligible expenses and maximum award amounts. A review of your application and required documentation will determine the funding source that best matches your situation and financial need.

Maximum Award Amounts by Funding Source

Emergency Assistance Grant: Up to $1,000 for students who meet eligibility requirements.
State Completion Grant: Up to $500 for students who meet eligibility requirements.
MPTC Foundation Assistance: Up to $500 for students who meet eligibility requirements.

How Award Amounts Are Determined

Award amounts are determined by the emergency expense you report and document in your application and may be less than requested.

The amount awarded is based on:

The student’s documented emergency expense.
The funding source for which they qualify.
Eligibility requirements.
Available funding.

Award Examples

If your vehicle repair bill is $400, your award would generally be up to $400, not the full funding source maximum.
If your eligible expense is $850 and you qualify for the Emergency Assistance Grant, you may receive up to $850.
If your eligible expense is $700 but you qualify for a funding source with a $500 maximum award, the most you can receive is $500.

Multiple Awards

Students may receive funding more than once during an academic year, up to the maximum amount allowed by the funding source.
A new application is required for each request.
Students submitting a second application within the same academic year may be required to meet with a financial aid professional before additional funding is considered.

Application Review and Notification

Students will be notified of an approval or denial within five (5) business days after submitting a complete application, unless additional review is required.
Processing times may be extended during college holidays or closures.

Availability

Enrolled and actively attending students may apply for emergency funding at any time during the academic year.
Requests are reviewed on a first-come, first-served basis and are subject to the availability of funds.

Funding Sources

There are multiple funding sources. Each funding source has its specified allowable expenses. For example, some funds may allow for food, while others may not. Students are considered for funds that best meet their need and for those in which they are eligible.

Eligible Expenses (varies by funding source)

Medical costs not covered by insurance
Replacement of belongings lost in a fire, flood, or other natural disaster
Travel costs to get to campus or a clinical site
Support shelter for a student in a dangerous situation due to acts of violence or other victimization
Travel expenses for family death or another emergency
Dependent care
Assistance with rent/housing, essential utilities (heating, cooling, water)
Food
Other essential household expenses (internet, cell phone)
Textbooks, equipment, uniforms, tools, testing fees, and background checks (Please note: most funds do not allow for program-related expenses; students must meet eligibility criteria.)

Ineligible Expenses (varies by funding source)

Tuition, past due student account balances, health insurance, and study abroad costs
Textbooks, and program-related expenses (Please note: some funds do allow for program-related materials and textbooks; students must meet eligibility criteria.)
Alcohol, tobacco, groceries
Legal services, fines or forfeitures resulting from legal violations, library fines, and other fines
Taxes
Non-essential utilities (cable TV, streaming TV services)
Credit card bills
Costs for entertainment, recreation and non-emergency travel
Student conferences
Credit collections
Pet expenses
Misuse of financial aid for non-essential expenses
Other non-essential expenses

Application Process

Step 1 – Complete the Student Emergency Fund application below.

Step 2 – Provide documentation supporting your emergency expense.

Documentation must identify:

The nature of the emergency or expense,
The amount owed, and
The third party to whom payment is due.

Step 3 – Your application, documentation, eligibility and circumstances are reviewed.

Step 4 – The funding source and award amount based on documented need, eligibility requirements and available funding is determined.

Step 5 – A notification of the decision and any next steps is sent to students MPTC e-mail.

Quick Summary

The most appropriate funding source is determined based on eligibility and documented need.
Not all students are eligible for the same funding source.
Maximum awards vary by funding source.
Awards are based on actual emergency expenses and eligibility and may be less than requested.
Receiving assistance is not guaranteed and depends on available funding and program requirements.

Apply Now

To apply, please complete the online application.

Questions?

If you have questions or need assistance with the application process, please contact studentemergencyfund@morainepark.edu.

Community Resources

Need help finding community resources? Contact Jackie Morgan at jmorgan29@morainepark.edu or 920-924-3134 (TTY/VP: Use Relay/VRS), Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Gas and Food Cards

Gas and food cards may be available to help eligible students meet basic needs.

Eligibility Requirements

Students must:

Be currently enrolled in a financial aid-eligible program.
Be actively attending classes.
Request cards during the academic term. Cards are not available outside published term dates or when a student is not attending classes.

Award Limits

Students may receive up to two (2) cards per term.
Students may receive a maximum of four (4) cards during their enrollment at MPTC.
Card requests are reviewed and approved based on available funding and supply.

How to Apply

To request a gas and/or food card, complete and submit the request form. Students will be notified through their MPTC student email when cards are available for pickup or have been mailed (online students only).

Crisis Resources

If you are experiencing a crisis, please contact one of the following resources:

MPTC Counseling Services: 920-922-8611 (TTY/VP: Use Relay/VRS), Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline: Call or text 988 anytime, 24 hours a day.
Local Emergency Room: Visit your nearest emergency department for immediate assistance.

When I lost my job with absolutely no notice, I wasn’t sure how long it would be before I could find another one. With the emergency funds, I was able to take some of the immediate pressure off of incoming bills and focus on things I needed to line up while I found different employment. I really appreciate the assistance this provided in a very stressful time.

I had used the funds to help pay for one month of rent. It did more than just keep me in school. It also allowed me to provide enough for the person in my care with what they needed and for myself for the month. We just needed it for one month to get by, and as a result, we have legitimately found ourselves in a stable position in life as well as being able to continue in our studies.

Student Emergency Fund FAQ

No. Student emergency fund applications can be submitted once a term begins. Students must be enrolled and attending classes within the published term dates for funding consideration.

No. Students must be enrolled and attending classes to receive emergency funds.

Tuition and past due student account balances are not eligible expenses.

Textbooks, testing fees, course materials, equipment, uniforms and background checks are eligible, but students must meet criteria, including Pell Grant eligibility, in order to receive funding for these expenses.

No. Documentation or evidence is required to submit an emergency fund application. The evidence must include the nature and amount of the expense, the third party to whom the amount is owed and be directly related to the request.

Maximum award limits vary by fund. One fund can provide up to $1,000 per academic year (July 1 – June 30), while other funds are limited to $500.

Funding is awarded first-come, first-served until as long as funding is available. Funds may not be available all year.

Moraine Park Technical College does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, disability, or age in employment, admissions or its programs or activities. The following person has been designated to handle inquiries regarding the College’s nondiscrimination policies: Equal Opportunity Officer, Moraine Park Technical College, 235 North National Avenue, PO Box 1940, Fond du Lac, WI 54936-1940, 920-924-6355 or 920-924-3495, TTY/VP: Use Relay/VRS.