The purpose of KCU’s Student Hardship Fund is to support students who are in need of economic assistance for which no financial aid is eligible. Awards may not exceed $5,000.

The Student Hardship Fund is intended to address basic and emergency needs and thereby support qualified individual’s success.

Allowable expenses include, but are not limited to:

• travel expenses related to emergency situations (like the death or illness of a relative);
• extra basic living expenses needed due to fire, destruction, or natural disaster;
• replacement of stolen goods (not lost due to negligence);
• and mental health (rehabilitation or behavioral) medical bills not covered by insurance.

The Student Hardship Fund is not designed to cover standard expenses included in a student’s budgeted cost of attendance for the academic year, non-emergency expenses, expenses that are extravagant.

Expenses not covered:

• Expenses incurred prior to the emergency
• Non-essential utilities
• Tuition (tuition need is administered by Student Financial Aid)
• Credit card bills
• Car payments
• Child Support
• Health insurance premiums

Allocations are determined and monitored by KCU’s Student Hardship Fund Committee. All requests, inquiries, awards and denials are confidential. The applicant must be a future, current or previously enrolled student and must be determined to be in financial need by the Committee based on information submitted by the applicant. Aid must be for true hardship.