Are you a student with an unexpected need related to course supplies, graduate school applications, interview attire, medical and emergency expenses, everyday needs or something else? If so, the Student Success Fund may be able to help.
This fund provides financial assistance to students in need, based on the eligibility information provided below. Additionally, please note that these funds are not loans; rather, they are funds that do not need to repaid that can provide support for the individual circumstances that may arise for you throughout your time at Kenyon College.
Types of Expenses
This application is to request academic support funds to cover the cost of books, music lessons, course materials, and/or other related educational expenses. In order to assist as many students as possible, this support is capped at $300 per semester per student.
Eligibility
In order to qualify for these funds, students will need to: 1) be exceeding the estimated cost of books and course materials for the specific semester for which they are requesting funds and 2) have consulted with the Office of Financial Aid, regarding their loan package for the current semester.
If a student has not exhausted all of their loan options for the specific semester for which they are requesting funds, then they will not qualify for support from the Academic Support Fund. Additionally, please note that some students have a $250 book credit on their student account for the upcoming term; if this applies to you, then you must 1) have exhausted all of your loan options for this semester and 2) have a need that exceeds the $250 book credit on your account.
To find out if you are eligible for the Academic Support Fund, follow these steps:
1. Contact the Office of Financial Aid to review your financial aid package. (If it is determined that you have unused financial aid left in your package, you will not qualify for the Academic Support Fund. If it is determined that you do qualify for Academic Support Fund, they will provide confirmation via email to the Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion.)
2. Complete the Academic Support Fund application and then schedule a meeting with the Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion.
3. The Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion will process your request and determine the amount to be approved; afterwards, the funds will be applied, as detailed below.
Payment Process
For textbook requests, approved students will need to do the following: 1) place your textbook order via the Kenyon Bookstore website, 2) provide your K-Card information under the “payment method” section of the checkout process, and 3) indicate the amount that the ODEI will be paying under the “order comments” section of the checkout process (i.e. “the ODEI will be paying for this textbook order”).
For music lessons requests, your name will be submitted to the Music Department. (Please note that music lessons, regardless of credit hours, will only be granted to students who have not previously requested funds for this reason and who meet the eligibility criteria noted above.)
Application Renewals
Students will need to submit a new application for each semester for which they are requesting the Academic Support Fund. Any changes in personal and/or family circumstances should be reported to the Office of Financial Aid, even mid-semester or mid-year, to determine whether their financial aid package can be adjusted.
Please also note that first-year, international students are not eligible for this fund, given current visa regulations; more information on these regulations is available from the Center for Global Engagement.
Travel Expenses
If you have been accepted to a graduate program or have secured a job interview and cannot afford travel expenses, you may apply to the Student Success Fund for support that is related to travel for these purposes. In order to assist as many students as possible, this support is capped at to $400 for approved travel.
For travel related to graduate school visits, students must have already been accepted into and/or invited to the graduate school that is related to the travel request, prior to submitting their request for funding. Travel support is not provided for applicants who have already received support for placement exams and/or application fees.
Placement Exams
If you are intending to apply to graduate school, you may apply to the Student Success Fund for support that is related to graduate placement exams (i.e. the MCAT, LSAT, GRE, GMAT, etc.) or graduate school application fees. In order to assist as many students as possible, this support is capped at $300 total.
For graduate placement exams, students must have already applied for a placement exam fee waiver or reduction, if available for the placement exam. For graduate school application fees, students must have already applied for an application fee waiver via the graduate school that they are applying to. Support for graduate placement exams and application fees is not provided for applicants who have already received support for graduate school/interview related travel.
Application
To apply for this support, complete the Student Success Fund application, and a staff member will reach out to you to schedule a meeting with the Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion.
Please note that the Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion reserves the right to make decisions on requests to the Student Success Fund on a case-by-case basis, due to the unique circumstances of each individual situation.
Eligible Expenses
If you have secured a professional development opportunity (internship, conference, interview, job, networking event, etc.) but lack the proper attire to participate, you may apply to the Student Success Fund. In order to assist as many students as possible, this support is capped at $250 total.
The professional attire fund is limited to the following: suits, slacks, blazers, dresses, blouses, skirts, formal cardigans, dress shoes, ties, etc. Accessories, including purses, portfolios, jewelry, watches, etc. does not qualify for support.
Application
To apply for this support, complete the Student Success Fund application, and a staff member will reach out to you to schedule a meeting with the Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. At this meeting, the Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion requires you to provide proof of your professional development opportunity. If approved, a staff member will work with you to determine the specific items to be purchased.
Please note that the Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion reserves the right to make decisions on requests to the Student Success Fund on a case-by-case basis, due to the unique circumstances of each individual situation.
Students may also apply to the Student Success Fund for unexpected and/or everyday expenses that come throughout the year. Some examples of these needs are provided below.
Please note that the Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion reserves the right to make decisions on requests to the Student Success Fund on a case-by-case basis, due to the unique circumstances of each individual situation and to assist as many students as possible.
Winter Clothing
Students — who cannot afford appropriate winter attire — may apply to the Student Success Fund to receive funding for outerwear. Outerwear is limited to winter boots, gloves, scarves, coats and jackets. Items outside of these categories will not qualify for support via the Student Success Fund. In order to assist as many students as possible, this support is capped at $150 total, and students may only utilize this support one-time during their academic career, pending extenuating and individualized circumstances.
Emergency Travel
Students — who experience an unexpected family emergency or need support for medically recommended travel but cannot afford the travel expenses — may apply to the Student Success Fund.
Support for international flights will be capped at $800.
Travel to Columbus
Students — who demonstrate financial challenges and a clear need to travel to Columbus — may apply to the Student Success Fund for assistance with costs related to that travel. Support may be provided for travel 1) to the Columbus airport (CMH) or Greyhound bus station or 2) for medically recommended appointments. In order to assist as many students as possible, travel support for winter and summer breaks is only provided via the GoBus.
Medical Expenses
Students — who demonstrate financial challenges and a clear need related to medical costs — may apply to the Student Success Fund for assistance with medical bills. Prior to submitting an application for support related to medical needs, students must contact the Cox Health and Counseling Center for assistance related to medical billing. In order to assist as many students as possible, the level of support that may be provided — pending the recommendation of the staff of the Cox Health and Counseling Center — varies.
To ensure the health of our community, meetings may be held virtually or in-person, depending upon the needs of the student and the staff member who will be assisting them.