Supporting Financial Security

The Student Emergency Relief Fund was established to provide financial assistance to students who have emergency financial needs. Due to the high volume of applications our review committee receives, we are not able to grant all requests. Please keep in mind that this fund is specifically focused on assisting students facing unanticipated and unforeseen expenses that the applicant could not have planned for previously. To ensure that your application is reviewed, students must provide an itemized list of expenses in their application; please be as specific as possible to help our committee best understand your circumstances. Please note that applications submitted without an itemized expense list will not be eligible for a SERF reward.

Typical uses for this financial assistance to students includes support for: emergency travel, medical expenses, housing, food, and utilities.  Prior to the start of each semester, students can also request textbook vouchers to purchase their required course materials.

Students experiencing a financial emergency should complete the Student Emergency Relief Form requesting funding support.

Students who need financial support in order to be able to purchase their required course materials can apply for up to $300 of aid. This support can come in two forms. The first is in the form of course material vouchers that can only be used to purchase textbooks and other required materials via our preferred provider, Akademos (via IC's online bookstore). The other is by direct deposit, which can be used to purchase materials not available through Akademos. 

Please note: An itemized list of materials (with their prices) is REQUIRED in order to be considered. If your required materials are not yet posted, please reach out to your professors for this information. **Please indicate which materials cannot be purchased using the online bookstore.**

**If you don't have your entire list of course materials, but you have materials totaling $300, please submit your list! Vouchers will be given on a first-come, first-serve basis!

Due to the high volume of submissions, applications will be due no later than January 15, 2024. The SERF committee will begin reviewing applications on Monday, January 8th, with priority given to students who have not already been awarded vouchers for the Fall 2023 semester. Remaining funding will be awarded to students on a first-come first-served basis. The financial need of each individual applicant will also be factored into the review process.

**If you do not submit an itemized list with your application, your request will be denied and you will be asked to re-submit!**

Students can apply by completing the Student Emergency Relief Form requesting support.

Students, faculty or staff who may need additional support in meeting their food and nutritional needs have a variety of sources of support including the Prunty's Pantry (an on-campus food pantry), the Swipe Out Hunger Program (students only) and a Mutual Aid Food Sharing Cabinet (located by the Chapel).  Information about all of our food security support resources are available here.

The Career Closet is a great resource that provides IC students with access to professional attire that may be needed while participating in professional activities such as interviews, job fairs, and networking events.

Students who are unable to afford to purchase a computer or who need a loaner while their computer is being repaired, can request a loaner for up to a semester at a time.  Students interested in a long-term loaner should see the Associate or Assistant Dean of their school or the Dean of Students to submit a request.

Students who need a loaner for 4 hours or less can access the new Laptop Kiosk 24 hours a day. There is no cost for this service, just swipe your ID.

The Ithaca College VITA team is comprised of senior accounting majors who have completed a senior-level federal income tax course.  Each student volunteer has passed the required VITA exam at an advanced level, and is certified by the IRS to prepare taxes. The team is supervised by an accounting faculty member who is also the VITA Site Coordinator, assisted by two accounting students.

The main objective of the IC VITA team is provide each taxpayer with the highest quality tax return, and at the same time provide students with valuable "real world" experience.  The service is available by appointment only.  This free service is offered to taxpayers with annual income less than a specified amount.

The on-campus VITA program officially commences in late January and concludes in mid-April. Watch intercom in January for information regarding the income limitations and information about available appointments.  Contact VITA at ithacacollegevita@gmail.com or by contacting Kari Smoker at ksmoker@ithaca.edu

Students who are struggling with the cost of textbooks have the following options to try to reduce the cost of this important resource:

• See if there is a copy of the book(s) on reserve in the Library
• Speak to your faculty member about your concerns and see if they have any alternatives to suggest.
• Consider buying a previous edition of the book (check with the faculty to see if there have been any significant changes made)

The Office of Student Financial Services has short-term loan options available.  Aid advances are advances on anticipated financial aid.  Ebsary loans are interest free loans granted for a financial emergency.  You can find more information about both programs at the Student Financial Services webpage.

Washington D.C Scholarship for Summer Internships:

This scholarship will be awarded to one current first-year, sophomore or junior student who has an UNPAID OR PAID internship in the Washington, D.C. area. This award ranges between $1,500-$1,600. The internship may be credit bearing or non-credit bearing. The recipient will be in good academic & judicial standing, possess a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher and will demonstrate financial need as determined by Student Financial Services.

Class of 2008 Scholarship for Experiential Learning:

Through the generosity of the Class of 2008, this scholarship will be awarded to one current first-year, sophomore, or junior student who has an UNPAID internship in the summer. This award ranges between $950-$990. The internship may be credit bearing or non-credit bearing. The recipient will be in good judicial standing, possess a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher and demonstrate financial need as determined by Student Financial Services.

Applications are typically due to Career Services in early March. One award will be given for each scholarship.

Roy H. Park School of Communications Internship Scholarships:

For more information on a variety of scholarships available to Park students, visit this website.