Financial Emergency

The Student Impact Fund (SIF) provides short-term financial assistance to WCC students experiencing unexpected financial hardship that could impact their ability to stay enrolled or succeed academically.

An unexpected financial hardship is a sudden expense or situation you did not plan for and cannot cover on your own, such as a utility shut-off notice, emergency car repair, or risk of eviction.

Common approved requests include:

• Utility shut-off notices (phone bills, WiFi, electricity, water)
• Emergency car repairs
• Bus passes or transportation needs
• Eviction notices or late rent
• Food assistance in form of a gift card for Kroger, Walmart or Meijer
• Textbooks or other academic supplies required to complete your current coursework

All requests must be connected to your ability to continue attending classes.

Most requests require documentation, such as:

• A copy of a utility shut-off or eviction notice
• A repair estimate from a certified mechanic
• A bill related to the request

If documentation is missing, your application may be delayed or denied.

Please note, your documentation should:

• Be clear and legible (no blurry scans or photos)
• Contain your name
  • For example, a car estimate that has a different person’s name on it won’t be accepted unless further explanation is provided. 

Most students receive an email response to their WCC email within 1–2 business days after submitting a complete application.

Our office is open from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday, unless the college is closed for a holiday, weather event, or other reason. Applications will only be reviewed during office hours.

No. Funding is limited, and all requests are reviewed by a committee. Meeting eligibility requirements does not guarantee approval.

Awards are typically capped at $1,000; however, all requests are reviewed on a case-by-case basis and there is no guarantee a student will receive the maximum award amount. Funding levels are limited and awards may be less than the amount requested. Decisions are based on documented need, available funding, and committee review. The fund is intended to support immediate, short-term needs and does not cover ongoing or recurring expenses.

To ensure equitable distribution of limited funds, the Student Impact Fund uses general award guidelines. These amounts are not guaranteed and may vary based on individual circumstances, documentation provided, and available funding.

Typical maximum award ranges include:

• Food assistance: generally, $300–$500 in grocery gift cards
• Utility assistance: up to $750
• Car repair/transportation repairs: up to $1,000
• Books and required supplies: up to $500
• Rental/housing assistance: up to $1,000

The committee may approve amounts lower than these ranges or deny requests if the expense does not meet fund criteria. Awards are intended to resolve an immediate financial emergency and are not available for ongoing or recurring expenses.

Please note, funds will not be provided directly to students.

Students may receive assistance once per academic (aid) year. The academic year runs from Fall semester through the following Summer semester (for example: Fall 2025, Winter 2026, and Summer 2026 are all part of the same academic year).

If you receive Student Impact Fund assistance during any semester within that academic year, you are not eligible to receive additional funding again until the next Fall semester.

Yes. Your information is reviewed only by staff and committee members involved in the Student Impact Fund process. If you have any questions regarding confidentiality, please contact us at sif@wccnet.edu.

In some cases, instructors may be contacted to confirm enrollment or attendance as part of the review process.

If you are unsure whether your situation qualifies, you are encouraged to apply and clearly explain your circumstances in the application.

If you have questions about eligibility, documentation, or the application process, contact the WCC Foundation at 734.973.3665, email sif@wccnet.edu, or visit our office in the Student Center Room 304.  Our office is open from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday, unless the college is closed for a holiday, weather event, or other reason.

The Student Impact Fund does not provide money directly to students. If your request is approved, payment will be made directly to the third party whenever possible (such as a utility company, landlord, mechanic, bookstore, or transportation provider).

This helps ensure funds are used for the approved expense and allows us to assist as many students as possible.

Yes. You may be asked to provide billing statements, invoices, or contact information for the third party so payment can be processed.

While the Student Impact Fund is designed to help with urgent, unexpected expenses, it cannot assist with certain ongoing or long-term costs. Common requests that are not eligible include:

• Mortgage payments
• Normal wear and tear maintenance or routine maintenance repairs (e.g., brakes, tires, oil changes)
• Car payments
• Insurance (e.g., car, health, dental, home, rental)
• Medical bills
• Legal fees
• Reimbursement for an expense 
• Tuition balances or past-due institutional charges at WCC or any academic institutions
• Cost associated with study abroad programs

If your situation is not listed, you are still encouraged to apply and explain your circumstances.