DREAMKEEPER Emergency Financial Aid Program     

GUIDELINES and PROCEDURES  

Purpose: The purpose of the Dreamkeeper Emergency Financial Aid Program is to provide monetary relief to students for sudden, unexpected, unforeseen circumstances demanding immediate action and attention of the student which significantly interferes with student’s ability to continue to access higher education.  

Examples of Unexpected Circumstances:  

• Unexpected child care (ill child)   
• Medical expenses  
• Transportation (unforeseen car repairs)  
• Housing emergency, utility bills  
• Other, etc.  

Examples of Unexpected Circumstances Not Included:    

• Court cost 
• Lawyer fees 
• Bail bonds 
• Ongoing expenses 
• Gas 
• Books 
• Tuition/Fees 
• Testing Fees    

Procedures: To request Dreamkeeper Emergency Financial Aid Program, a CBC student must be in a state of emergency as defined in this policy and meet the following criteria and procedures:  

• An "emergency" is defined as a sudden, unexpected, unforseen circumstances demanding immediate action and attention of the student (not an ongoing expense) which significantly interferes with student's ability to continue to access higher education.   
• Applying for assistance must be student's last resort.    
• Student must complete the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) to show that they have utilized other avenues to cover expenses.    
• Student must meet SAP (Satisfactory Academic Progress).    
• Any student, part or full time enrolled in fall, spring, or summer may apply.    
• Student must provide documentation of need, i.e., utility bill, car repair estimates, medical bills, etc.     
• All documentation must be in student's name.      
• Emergency funds may or may not be given to the student directly; rather they will be issued to the vendor (i.e. landlord, utility company, daycare, etc.)    
• Students will only receive one emergency fund per academic semester which is defined as fall, spring and summer.    
• Emergency funds has a maximum of $300.  Each emergency application is reviewed on a case by base basis.  Approval of all emergency funds are subject to availability of funds.    
• If the student meets the above criteria, they will need to complete the Dreamkeeper Emergency Financial Aid Program application.    
• Dreamkeeper Emergency Financial Aid Program applications are available in the Financial Aid Office (R.W. Dirks Student Services Building, Cougar Center) or at www.coastalbend.edu.    
• Return completed application to the Director of Financial Aid.    
• Incomplete applications or insufficient documentation will delay the process.    
• Director of Financial Aid will interview student, review application for completeness, determine allocation amount (maximum $300), sign and date application.    
• Proper identification is required to receive emergency funds (CBC ID or Driver's License, etc.) if disbursed to student at the CBC Business Office.  
• Student will be required to submit a thank you note (success story) to the Dreamkeeper Emergency Financial Aid Program Committee upon receiving emergency funds. Students will have an option to sign a release form for their success story to be shared with potential donors.    

Child Care:

Emergency funds can be used for child care if there has been an incident that forces a student to change or modify their child care plan (ill child). However, only $300 can be given and there must be a plan in place so that current child care needs can be met.    

Medical Expenses, Transportation, Housing Emergency, Utility Bills, other, etc.: 

Emergency funds can be used if it can be shown that without these funds a student would be forced to drop out of classes.    

Exceptions: 

If a student feels they should be considered for the Dreamkeeper Emergency Financial Aid Program, but do not meet the criteria guidelines, they may contact the Director of Financial Aid prior to completing the application process.