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Emergency Scholarship Fund

Since 2021, KZCF has supported today’s students with funding to cover emergency needs as they arise at any time of year. The intent of this scholarship is to help students cover unexpected educational costs — such as overdue tuition, required textbooks, certification testing fees or other critical expenses that may otherwise prevent them from completing their degree or required education.

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Grants at a Glance

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Up to $5,000

Lifetime limit

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One-Time Award

Can receive multiple times

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Special Application
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Application Deadline

Bi-weekly ongoing

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Scholarship Details

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Eligibility Criteria

Any Kalamazoo County resident education may be eligible for an emergency scholarship. Kalamazoo County residents shall be defined as any person currently residing in Kalamazoo County, or who maintains a permanent residence in Kalamazoo County but is currently attending an educational institution outside of Kalamazoo County. In short, if you live here, or if you’re from here, this funding is intended to help you.

Students must be pursuing post-secondary education, meaning they are no longer pursuing a high school degree, regardless of whether they graduated or have a diploma. Individuals pursuing a GED are considered post-secondary.

Students do not need to be current KZCF scholarship recipients and may include existing students or those just enrolling in a program.

Applicants must be able to demonstrate that the request is an emergency by one of the following criteria:

It is an expense they cannot cover, and, if not met, may cause them to:

  • Stop attending school short of graduation
  • Not have the materials necessary for success in courses
  • Lose their job due to lack of necessary skills/certifications

It is an education-related expense with potential to:

  • Help them obtain employment (whether that be skills, transportation, etc.).
  • Increase their income by moving into a more lucrative field or being promoted in their current field.
  • Help them maintain employment.

How This Scholarship Works

Funds from this scholarship can be used to cover a broad range of expenses, which will continue to evolve. Examples include:

  • Tuition for the purpose of meeting a requirement, need, or obtaining a degree, license or certification.
  • Assistance with driver’s education for employment purposes
    Testing fees for CNA, etc.
  • Required yearly credits to retain Michigan Teaching License
    A skill-building course for the purpose of obtaining employment (e.g. Microsoft Office).
  • A course needed to obtain a raise/promotion.
  • Any degree, certification or license (including skilled trades)
    tuition owed that is preventing students from enrolling or attending.
  • GED test fees.
  • Course materials, such as lab fees, textbooks or technology (clickers, online codes, calculators, Chromebooks, etc.).
  • Scrubs for CNAs, and any equivalent uniform for other majors.

What this scholarship does not cover:

  • Classes for personal enjoyment or enrichment
  • High school ACT/SAT testing fees
  • High school students taking college courses
  • Any course that can be attended for free at an alternate venue
  • Exercise classes
  • KIA art classes, etc
  • Rental assistance.
  • Personal expenses, such as household bills and insurance payments

This scholarship is a one-time award, meaning that it will not repeat in subsequent years, but students may reapply for and receive emergency scholarship funding in subsequent years.

Scholarship payments are sent directly to your institution. We will send one check for the full award amount. The money awarded can be applied to your education costs alongside other scholarships or funding that you may receive, and there are no necessary steps once funds are sent.

Emergency Scholarship FAQs

I haven’t graduated from high school. Am I still eligible?

No, sorry. Applicants must be post-secondary, meaning they are no longer pursuing a high school degree, regardless of whether they graduated or have a diploma. Individuals pursuing a GED are considered post-secondary.

When should I apply?

Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis, awards are limited by a monthly budget, and the application will remain open until emergency funds are no longer available for the month. Apply as soon as you have an educational funding emergency!  

Will I be notified even if I don’t get the scholarship?

Yes. Once the committee has made their funding decisions, they will forward that information to the KZCF Scholarships team, who will record decisions and relay information to all applicants, regardless of being funded or not.

Can I apply even if I already recieved a scholarship from KZCF?

Yes, current KZCF scholarship recipients are eligible to apply for emergency funding.

Do I pay taxes on scholarships?

In certain situations, scholarship awards are considered taxable income for the recipient. You can find information about scholarships and taxes via The Internal Revenue Service.

For questions about how scholarship awards might impact your taxes, please consult a tax professional.

Applications Are Open — Apply Now

Get Urgent School Funding — Start Here!

Apply Online

Submit an online application by the next review deadline (once every two weeks), including accurate and complete documents (bills, books, supplies, parking cost) to demonstrate need.

Wait for Notification

Applications are reviewed by a committee. Once funding decisions are made, they are forwarded to the KZCF Scholarships team and emailed to applicants regardless of being funded or not.

Payment Sent — Hit the Books!

Scholarship payments are sent directly to the education institutions, and we will coordinate with students to make necessary purchases on their behalf.

Applications Open — Apply Now
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    Have questions about this fund or grant? Ask Jasmine.

    To learn more about urgent student funding or get guidance with your application, contact Jasmine Oldham via the contact form or call 269.585.7253.

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