Emergency Funding

Emergency Financial Assistance for Unexpected Emergencies

The Carroll and Milton Petrie Student Emergency Grant Fund provides limited emergency financial assistance to currently enrolled students facing a documented, unforeseen crisis that threatens their ability to remain enrolled.

Please note: Applying does not guarantee approval or funding. All applications are reviewed on a case-by-case basis and must meet eligibility requirements.

Typical Award Amount

Grant award amounts vary based on demonstrated need, available funding, and documentation provided. The average award is between $500 - $2000.

Eligibility Requirements

To be considered for a Petrie Emergency Grant, you must:

• Be a matriculated CSI student
• Be in good academic standing
• Be in good financial standing with the College
• Have a record of good student conduct
• Be experiencing a documented, unexpected, short-term financial emergency
• Submit all required supporting documentation
• Speak with a Petrie Committee representative if requested

Students may submit only one Petrie Emergency Grant application per academic year.

What Qualifies as an Unexpected Emergency?

A Petrie Emergency Grant is intended to address a sudden, unforeseen event that creates an immediate financial hardship and places a student's continued enrollment at risk.

Examples may include:

• Unexpected medical or dental emergencies
• Emergency travel due to the serious illness or death of an immediate family member
• Loss of essential personal property due to fire, flood, theft, or other disaster
• Sudden loss of income caused by circumstances beyond the student's control
• Other documented emergencies reviewed on a case-by-case basis

The emergency must be:

• Recent and unexpected
• Temporary in nature
• Beyond the student's control
• Supported by documentation
• Directly related to the student's ability to remain enrolled and succeed academically

Required Documentation

Applications submitted without documentation may be delayed or denied.

Examples of supporting documentation include:

• Medical bills, discharge papers, or physician documentation
• Death certificate, obituary, or funeral documentation
• Police reports
• Fire, flood, or insurance reports
• Eviction notices resulting from a recent emergency event
• Employer separation notice or other documentation verifying sudden loss of employment
• Repair estimates or invoices
• Other documents that verify the emergency described in your application

Submitting documentation does not guarantee approval.

Expenses That Are NOT Eligible for Funding

Petrie Emergency Grants cannot be used for:

• Tuition or tuition balances
• On-campus student housing costs
• College fees
• Outstanding debts owed to CSI, including parking tickets
• Credit card bills or other consumer debt
• Legal fees, court costs, fines, or legal representation
• Child support obligations
• Financial challenges that existed before the emergency occurred

Important Information

The Petrie Emergency Grant is not intended to cover routine, ongoing, or predictable living expenses that are part of a student's normal cost of attendance, including:

• Rent
• Regular utility bills
• Textbooks
• Transportation costs
• Food expenses

However, these expenses may be considered when they arise directly from a documented, unexpected emergency or crisis beyond the student's control. For example, a sudden loss of income, medical emergency, fire, natural disaster, or other unforeseen event may create an immediate financial need related to housing, food, transportation, or other essential expenses.

The Committee evaluates all requests based on the specific circumstances, documentation provided, and the direct connection between the emergency and the expense.

Application Review Process

All applications undergo a review to determine eligibility and availability of funds.

The Committee reviews:

• Eligibility requirements
• Submitted supporting documentation
• Nature and urgency of the emergency
• Impact on the student's ability to remain enrolled
• Additional information or an interview may be requested before a determination is made.
• Meeting eligibility requirements does not guarantee funding.

Before You Apply

Please apply only if you are experiencing a documented, unexpected emergency that occurred recently and is affecting your ability to continue your studies.

Incomplete applications and applications for expenses listed as ineligible will not be considered.

Questions?

Email: petrie@csi.cuny.edu