Madison Rotary Foundation: Student Veterans Assistance Fund Grant

The Madison Rotary Foundation's Student Veterans Assistance Fund supports veterans in need of financial aid for urgent living expenses. Established by generous donations, this fund assists eligible veterans, including those enrolled in local colleges, with housing, utilities, medical costs, and textbooks. Applicants must meet specific criteria, including residency and service requirements, to qualify for this one-time grant. This initiative honors the sacrifices of veterans and aims to ease their financial burdens during their educational pursuits.

NOTE: You should contact your College administrator who handles veteran students and ask them to write a letter/email to the Madison Rotary Foundation to verify your eligibility for this grant.
Phil and Kit Blake made a gift of $100,000 in 2013 to establish a named fund within the Madison Rotary Foundation. Jorge and Andrea Hidalgo added $105,000 to this fund in 2021-2022 in honor of their son, US Army 1LT Daren Hidalgo, who was killed in action in 2011 while serving his country in Afghanistan.

Eligibility

Criteria:Are you currently enlisted in the Guard, Reserves Army, Navy, Air Force or Marine Corps and have served 2 or more years OR a Veteran who has served at least 2 years of active duty or Active Guard/Reserve in the Air Force, Army, Coast Guard, Marine Corps, National Guard, Navy or Reserves who has been honorably discharged from active duty and who is currently attending a degree program at Edgewood College, Madison College or UW-Madison during this academic year as a full-time student? Are you a resident of Dane County?
Are you in need of a one-time grant to assist with a short term, urgent or emergency expense? If you can answer “Yes” to all of the above, review the eligible expenses.  One time basic and temporary living expenses eligible for payment are defined as: Housing expenses – mortgage/rent, repairs.
Vehicle repairs.
Utilities – electricity, water, gas, internet and primary phone Note - Phone expense is limited to $150/mo and does not include equipment charges.Medical expenses, such as bills & prescriptions (including for your spouse or child).
Food, fuel and incidentals. Note - Perishable items, such as groceries, personal needs, gasoline, etc. These expenses would require the applicant to submit receipts for purchases.
Textbooks for current courses.

Ineligibility

Note you are unable to apply if you have previously received a grant from this fund.The following expenses are ineligible for assistance:Credit cards, military charge cards or retail store cards.
Personal, student or payday loans.
Unsecured debt or loans, including loans or debt owed to a friend/family member.
Military debt, VA debt or other Benefit debt.
Negative bank accounts, including overdraft fees and charges.
Cable/Satellite TV.
Taxes.
Legal expenses.
Rental furniture, electronic equipment, vehicle, etc.
Down payments on homes or vehicles, or assistance in purchasing personal property.
Bills incurred due to excessive spending or mismanagement.