HELPS Program Microgrant

The Handling Everyday Life Problems for Students (HELPS) Program provides emergency financial assistance to students facing unexpected hardships that threaten their academic progress. Designed to prevent students from abandoning their education due to financial emergencies of $1,000 or less.

Geographic Scope: United States (17 participating MSIs/TCUs as of Q2 2024)

Focus Areas:

• Emergency financial assistance for students
• Support for unexpected hardships
• Prevention of academic disruption
• Assistance to all class levels (Freshman through Senior)

Award Amount:

• Up to $1,000 grant per academic year
• Non-repayable grant (not a loan)

Program Impact (as of Q2 2024):

• 17 Participating MSIs/TCUs
• 450+ students served
• $450K in HELPS grants disbursed

Key Features:

• Timely Approval: Participating MSI approves to expedite fund disbursement
• Flexibility: Can apply through SFI online application or MSI-defined tools
• Non-Loan: Grant-based assistance (no repayment required)
• Inclusive: All majors eligible, all enrollment statuses accepted

Eligibility Requirements:

• Academic Level: Freshman, Sophomore, Junior, or Senior
• Majors: All majors eligible (unlike SFLA)
• Enrollment Status: Full-time, half-time, or part-time at participating institution
• Academic Status: Undergraduate
• GPA Requirement: Determined by each institution
• Financial Hardship: Provide documentation justifying need for funds

Eligible Emergency Types:
Defined as unexpected, one-time (non-recurring) expenses with immediate risk to health, life, property, or student's environment requiring urgent attention:

• Emergency transportation needs
• Information Technology (Hardware)
• Information Technology (Software)
• Medical treatment or medication
• Safety-related expenses
• Food
• Temporary housing
• Utilities

What They Don't Fund:

• Recurring expenses
• Non-emergency expenses
• Expenses not related to immediate health, life, property, or environmental risk

Contributors: Capital One and Prudential Financial

Contact Information:

• Apply through participating institution
• Participating MSI is the approving official

Application Process

Flexibility: Applications can be submitted through either:

• SFI's online application platform, OR
• MSI's defined tools/process

General Steps:

1. Contact your participating institution's financial aid office
2. Confirm eligibility based on institution's GPA requirements
3. Determine if your emergency qualifies as eligible
4. Gather documentation of financial hardship
5. Submit application through preferred channel (SFI online or MSI system)
6. Participating MSI financial aid office reviews and approves
7. Receive approval notification

Required Materials:

• Documentation of financial hardship justifying need for funds
• Evidence of eligible emergency expense
• Proof of enrollment (transcript or enrollment verification)

Processing:

• Participating MSI acts as approving official to expedite disbursement
• Timeline varies based on institution's processes

Application Focus:

• Justification of need
• Description of emergency situation
• How funds will address the emergency
• Impact on academic progress if emergency not addressed