How much funding does HELPS Program Microgrant provide?

HELPS Program Microgrant provides Up to $1,000 per academic year in funding.

When is the deadline for HELPS Program Microgrant?

This grant has a rolling deadline or the deadline has not been announced.

HELPS Program Microgrant

STUDENT FREEDOM INITIATIVE INC

Foundation Annual Hardship Grants Grants for Minorities

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Funding Amount

Up to $1,000 per academic year

Deadline

Rolling / Open

Grant Type

foundation

Overview

HELPS Program Microgrant

Overview: 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.

Status: Active

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

How to Apply

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