Case Management

The Mountaineer Emergency Fund assists App State students who encounter an unforeseen financial emergency that places a student in significant financial hardship that would prevent them from continuing their App State education. Students may apply for short term, emergency assistance. 

This funding is not intended to replace or supplement existing financial aid. Students who have exhausted all other resources may apply for funds. This is not a loan and does not have to be repaid. 

Funds distributed will generally not exceed $700. The number of students who can be served by the Mountaineer Emergency Fund is subject to the availability of funds. 

The fund is made possible because of the generosity of donors committed to helping App State students in need, achieve their educational goals. 

Applications without sufficient information to assist with making an informed decision will be denied.

Eligibility

1. Be a currently enrolled student at App State for the current semester.
2. Have a financial hardship resulting from an emergency, accident, or other unplanned event that potentially inhibits or threatens their ability to successfully complete the current semester.
3. If able, demonstrate their current financial need with supporting documentation.
4. Demonstrate that all other resources, including Student Financial Aid, have been considered and are either insufficient, unavailable, or not available in a timely manner.

Types of expenses covered include, but are not limited to:

1. Books (not covered by the Book Rental Fee), computers and other essential academic expenses
2. Replacement of essential personal items
3. Transportation costs related to the death or illness of a family member
4. Emergency housing expenses
5. Assistance with utilities, food and other essential household expenses
6. Childcare expenses
7. Personal prescriptions
8. Costs related to medical or mental health care and/or their associated travel costs
9. Other expenses that place the student in danger of not completing their education

Types of expenses not covered include, but are not limited to:

1. Tuition and fees
2. Non-essential utilities (e.g. cable), household, or furniture costs
3. Parking permits, parking tickets, court or lawyer fees, and other fines
4. Costs for entertainment, recreation, non-emergency travel or other non-essential expenses
5. Consistent supplement to a student's education funding sources
6. Costs typically addressed by financial aid
7. Routine or everyday expenses
8. Other expenses that do not place the student in danger of not completing their education

Important Tax Considerations:

Mountaineer Emergency funds cannot be classified as a tax-free scholarship and may cause a potential tax liability for the student recipient or other individual who may claim the student recipient as a dependent based on the Internal Revenue Service instruction. Appalachian State University does not provide tax advice. Please visit IRS Publication 970 or consult your tax preparer to understand how this award may impact your individual income taxes.

Receiving Funds

We have seen a high volume of requests for assistance, and are working to fundraise for and process them as quickly as possible. Once your request has been submitted, the Office of the Dean of Students will review the submitted information. Requests will be processed as quickly as possible, and an email notification will be sent to you regarding your application eligibility and status.

Students are eligible for a one-time funding award of up to $700. Should an unusual circumstance arise, exceptions may be considered on a case-by-case basis.

Direct Deposit and Timing of Disbursement

If you are approved, the quickest way to receive your funding is to sign up for direct deposit in the Touchnet Billing and Payment Center using the instructions here.

If direct deposit is not completed, you will receive a check via US Postal Service. Be sure to confirm your "refund address" inside the Appalnet Portal. If a check goes to an outdated address, it can take multiple weeks to have a check reissued.

Please know that funds are not transferred to your account immediately and can take 3-5 business days to process once approved. If you are approved, funds may appear to decrease your current outstanding bill with App State. This is a temporary accounting effect of processing your grant funds through Student Accounts, and the funding will be refunded directly to you in the next refund cycle in 3-5 business days. 

Mountaineer Emergency Fund Application