ASI Student Emergency Fund (SEF)

The ASI Student Emergency Fund provides compassionate assistance to students who encounter unforeseen financial emergencies or catastrophic events that disrupt their progress towards a degree. Funded by Associated Students Inc. and private donations, the ASI Student Emergency Fund (SEF) is a collaboration between Cougar Care Network and ASI.

These funds are not intended to be used for routine expenses nor as a consistent supplement to a student’s education funding sources. All requests must be urgent in nature. Funds will not be awarded to the same student more than once during an academic year.

Review the ASI Student Emergency Fund Policy

How to Apply

Click button below to start your application! After you submit, it will bring you back to main page. Someone will contact you about your application so be sure to be checking your email. If no one has reached out to your student email after 5 business days, please contact SEF@csusm.edu

Please note: Due to volume of applications, we have limited funds and do not guarantee any further funds available to award. We still encourage students to apply to discuss resources with Cougar Care Network (CCN).

Submit Your Application for Student Emergency Funds

FAQ

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When should I apply?
ASI Student Emergency Funds are available to currently enrolled CSUSM students who encounter an unexpected catastrophic event or one-time emergency in which your basic needs and/or ability to function as a student are impacted.

Qualifying examples include but are not limited to:
- Homelessness
- Hunger
- Accident
- Natural disaster
- Fire
- Severe Illness
- Unpaid bills related to unforeseen financial emergency
Each currently enrolled CSUSM student is eligible only once per academic year.

PLEASE BE ADVISED THAT THIS FUNDING IS ONLY FOR AN UNFORESEEN EMERGENCY. Please note: Rent, tuition, monthly bills, car payments, auto maintenance costs (brakes, oil change, tires, etc.), car registration, parking tickets, towing, future expenses, expenses accrued by family members, or other non-essential expenses are not considered emergencies or unforeseen circumstances.

Please note: Due to volume of applications, we have limited funds and do not guarantee any further funds available to award. We still encourage students to apply to discuss resources with Cougar Care Network (CCN).
What can SEF cover?
ASI’s Student Emergency Fund generally covers:
- Supplementing financial costs from loss of employment and wages due to closures
- Food & Toiletries
- Costs related to emergency medical cases if over $500. If under $500, please first apply to the SHCS Health Assistance Fund.
- Unpaid bills related to unforeseen financial emergency
- Unforeseen car repairs
Expenses generally NOT covered, include but are not limited to:
- Parking tickets, towing, and other fines.
- Costs for for entertainment, recreation, or other non-essential expenses
- Future costs and expenses including tuition and fees
Please note: Due to volume of applications, we have limited funds and do not guarantee any further funds available to award. We still encourage students to apply to discuss resources with Cougar Care Network (CCN).
I applied- when will I hear back?

After application is received it will be reviewed by the ASI Student Emergency Fund Team during business hours and a member that sits on the ASI Student Emergency Fund Team will reach out to you via email.

Some applicants depending on submitted request are required to meet with a member of the CSUSM Cougar Care Network (CCN) virtually before their application will be processed. This can be a phone call, zoom, etc.

Applicants will also need to submit back-up documentation for their request and should include what they can/feel comfortable with in their application. We can help students brainstorm ideas for what can be used as backup documentation students do not know what to submit.

Following application review, you will receive notice (via email) of the team decision within approximately 7-10 business days. Award amount is $350, if approved.

Please note: Due to volume of applications, we have limited funds and do not guarantee any further funds available to award. We still encourage students to apply to discuss resources with Cougar Care Network (CCN).
Who is eligible?
CSUSM Students who are currently enrolled in the current semester and are in programs that pay the ASI fee.

You may not be eligible if..
- this is a continuing situation that you have already received ASI Student Emergency Funding for
- you have already received SEF this academic year or reached the maximum allowable SEF awards
- you are in one of the following programs and not paying the ASI fee:
  RN-to-BSN
  BA Sociology, Accelerated
  BS Wildfire Science
  MA Educational Administration
  MA Reading, Language, and Literacy
  MS Cybersecurity
  Master of Public Health- This program is offered in two modalities. Students strictly in the online modality would not be eligible but all other students would be eligible.
  Certificate Programs
  Speech Language Pathology Preparation
  Applied Behavior Analysis
However, if you meet one of the criteria above, we still encourage you to apply as you may be eligible to receive funds through other revenue sources as long as funds are available.

Resources

Visit these links:

Questions?

Please email sef@csusm.edu.

Donors

Sixty percent of students at Cal State San Marcos receive financial assistance and over thirty-five percent of active financial aid applicants have income levels well below the federal poverty line. It is unfortunate that many students find the term "starving student" to be a reality.

We are deeply grateful for the outpouring of concern for our students from the community and the desire to help, even as you contend with challenges in your own life. Thank you now and always for being a supporter for our Cougar students.

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