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Emergency Funding

The Fall Quarter 2025 Application is Closed. Students can apply at any time before, but funds are awarded on first come, first served basis and funding may run out before the end of the application cycle.

Emergency Application: https://forms.office.com/r/UD3W2nALvM 

Emergency Funds

Emergency Funds are a one-time award to assist students with unforeseen expenses that may cause a student to withdraw from school. Emergency Funds can be used once per academic year. Awards vary depending on student need and resources available.

Minimum Qualifications:

  • 2.0 GPA
  • No outstanding tuition balance
  • Currently enrolled in a minimum of 5 college level credits
  • FAFSA on file (Free Application for Federal Student Aid)/WASFA (Washington Application for State Financial Aid)
  • Funding cannot exceed unmet need
  • Funding not available for continuing-ed or self-paced students
  • Degree or certificate seeking at Seattle Central

Submitting an emergency funding request does not guarantee funding. Your request may be funded by the Foundation, or you may be referred to another resource on campus. Due to limited funding, we cannot guarantee that students will receive funding even if they meet the minimum qualifications. Funding is available on a first-come, first-served basis, and first-time applicants for funding are prioritized over returning applicants. Returning applicants will be reviewed by a committee across campus. 

Do I qualify? To be eligible, a student must: 

  • Have a recent unforeseen emergency or financial expense that may prevent you from continuing in your program AND meet all of the following requirements:
    • Enrolled in 5 or more credits for the current quarter
    • Completing a Seattle Central College degree or certificate or enrolled in ESL, GED, High School Completion or Basic & Transitional Studies Program
    • Commitment to meet with a Basic Need Navigator for follow-up support and/or return the follow-up survey

Please note: Upload all documentation that is relevant to your emergency to support your request.
 

What Is Considered a "Non-Emergency"?

The following requests do not qualify as emergencies and will be excluded from consideration: 

  • Tuition
  • Class fees
  • Supplemental income
  • Clothing
  • Requests for reimbursement
  • Credit card bills
  • Past debt
  • Student loan payments
  • Traffic violations
  • Child support

Applications will be reviewed the Tuesday following submission; applicants may be asked to provide further documentation or clarification if the committee is unable to determine their eligibility. Application determinations will be sent to students on or before the Friday following the review. 

What Is a Housing Emergency?

Seattle Central College emergency housing support is intended for students facing an immediate risk of losing housing. Because emergency funds are limited and regulated, the situation must be urgent and supported by official documentation.

A housing emergency generally means a student is at risk of being displaced within a short timeframe and needs urgent help to remain housed.

Definition: Housing Emergency

A housing emergency is a situation where a student is at risk of imminent displacement, meaning loss of housing is likely within a short and immediate timeframe and requires urgent intervention to prevent homelessness.

When Emergency Housing Assistance May Apply

Emergency housing assistance is intended for circumstances such as:

  • An active eviction process
  • Court-issued removal timelines
  • Imminent lockout or displacement
  • Immediate loss of essential housing services

What Does Not Usually Qualify as an Emergency

A notice or document indicating a future possibility of eviction, without immediate legal action, typically does not meet emergency criteria.

For example:

  • A 30-day notice or informal rent reminder alone generally reflects an early-stage warning, not an imminent emergency.
  • Documents that are not issued by a verified third party (landlord, property manager, court, or utility provider) cannot be accepted as official proof.

Emergency funding requires documentation showing that housing loss is immediate, not speculative or long-range.

Examples of Acceptable Emergency Housing Documentation

To verify an emergency, students must provide one or more official documents such as the following:

Eviction-Related Notices (Washington State Standard)

  • 14-Day Notice to Pay Rent or Vacate (RCW 59.18.057)
  • 10-Day Notice to Comply or Vacate (lease violation)

Court-Filed Eviction Documents

  • Eviction Summons and Complaint (Unlawful Detainer Action)
  • Court-issued Notice of Hearing or Judgment

Final Displacement Notices

  • Sheriff’s Writ of Restitution or Lockout Notice
  • Verified move-out order with enforcement date

Other Immediate Housing Crisis Proof

  • Utility shutoff notice with a scheduled termination date
  • Official property condemnation or safety displacement order
  • Domestic violence relocation documentation (as applicable)

Documentation Requirements

All housing emergency documents must include:

  • Student name and rental address
  • Amount owed (if applicable)
  • Landlord, property manager, or court issuer information
  • Date issued and timeline for required action
  • Official letterhead, signature, or verifiable source

Documents that appear self-generated, incomplete, unsigned, or noncompliant with Washington State notice standards may not be accepted.

Why These Standards Matter

Emergency housing funds are governed by institutional and grant compliance requirements. These standards ensure that assistance is:

  • Distributed fairly
  • Based on verified emergencies
  • Reserved for students facing imminent housing loss
  • Compliant with Washington State housing procedures and funder rules

Legal Reference

Washington State eviction notices and requirements are governed under the Residential Landlord-Tenant Act (RLTA), including:

  •  RCW 59.18.057 (14-day Pay Rent or Vacate notice).