Student Assistance for Financial Emergencies (SAFE)

Examples of an unexpected financial emergency may include, but are not limited to:

• Health emergencies (surgeries, counseling appointments, psychiatric care, unexpected medication cost)
• Safety needs (changing a lock, sheltering needs)
• Replacement of essential personal belongings due to fire, theft, or a natural disaster
• Car repairs/accident
• Assistance with travel costs related to a death or illness of loved one
• Housing insecurities or emergencies

Examples of ineligible expenses may include, but are not limited to:

• Tuition, fees, room, and board at Davidson College or at any other institution
• Ongoing and recurring financial needs that will continue to be an issue in the future
• Non-emergency travel and non-essential expenses
• Food and groceries (for help with food, toiletries, and household items, please visit Lula Bell’s)
• Parking tickets
• Legal representation for a disciplinary matter
• Graduate School applications/other application fees
• Insurance Deductibles
• Costs for entertainment, recreation, non-emergency travel
• Financial support for family, friends and/or others
• Golf carts for mobility issues (SGA has a program to provide some financial assistance for golf carts)
• Laptop repair or replacement (Request a laptop or computer loan from T&I)

The Student Assistance for Financial Emergencies program is designed as a one-time (1) request, per academic year. The following criteria must be met to be considered for financial assistance from the
Dean of Students Office:

• Student is actively enrolled in the current semester at the time of submitting request to apply for emergency financial assistance and is in good standing.
• Students must be able to demonstrate immediate financial hardship resulting from emergency, accident, illness, natural disaster, or another unforeseen event.
• The expense must be unexpected, unforeseen, and the urgent nature unavoidable.
• You are strongly encouraged to contact the Financial Aid office at financialaid@davidson.edu to explore a possible readjustment to your financial aid package.  You can also contact the Controller's Office at studentAccounts@davidson.edu to inquire about any possible refunds to your account.
• Only one (1) approved emergency financial assistance request per student will be granted per academic year. Students who have received one-time emergency financial assistance within the academic year of enrollment may not be eligible for additional assistance unless there are very unusual circumstances.
• Students must complete the application in full and submit supporting documentation.

Applying to the Student Assistance for Financial Emergencies program does not automatically permit access to emergency funds. While the program is designed to provide immediate relief for unexpected or unavoidable financial emergencies, requests can be denied at the discretion of the Dean of Students Office.

• Applications submitted without supporting documentation will not be processed.
• Documentation is requested to assess situation, determine amount approval, or provide additional options and resources.
• The Assistant Dean of Students & Case Manager will decide whether the applicant qualifies and the appropriate funding amount to be awarded. The Assistant Dean of Students & Case Manager will also consult with Financial Aid and Business Services to get a snapshot of the student’s financial status. The student should expect to receive an answer within five (5) business days from application submission.
• Depending on the circumstance and availability of funds, students may be expected to contribute a small amount of percentage towards the financial need.
• For students awarded financial aid up to the cost of attendance for the current semester, it is
• possible your financial aid will be reduced to award the emergency financial assistance. The fund amount will still be refunded to assist with your immediate need. However, the reduction in financial aid may create a charge on your student account that will need to be resolved later. You are ultimately responsible for understanding how receiving these funds may impact future financial aid and are encouraged to speak with Business Services about your long-term funding situation. Students may be taxed on funding received and there may be tax implications. Please contact the Controller's Office at 704-894-2208 with questions.
• There may be a potential tax liability for the student recipient. The Dean of Students Office does not provide tax advice. Please consult your tax preparer to understand how receiving a grant may impact your individual income taxes.