Emergency Financial Support

Unexpected financial challenges? We're here to help.

We understand that life doesn't always go as planned. An unexpected expense, loss of income, or personal emergency can make it difficult to afford essentials like food, housing, or transportation while attending college.

Limited emergency financial assistance may be available to eligible students facing immediate financial hardship. This support is intended to help with urgent, short-term needs so you can focus on your well-being and continue your studies.

You don't need to know whether you qualify before reaching out. Our team can help you explore your options.

How to Get Emergency Financial Help

If you're experiencing an unexpected financial emergency that's affecting your ability to afford food, housing, transportation, or other basic necessities, contact the appropriate support team below to discuss your situation and explore available options.  

 

Domestic Students

Domestic students should contact the Financial Assistance Office to discuss their situation, review available resources, and determine whether they may be eligible for emergency financial support.

Financial Assistance Office

Indigenous Students

Indigenous students experiencing financial difficulties are encouraged to connect with Indigenous Student Services to discuss their situation, explore available resources, and receive guidance on financial supports, including emergency assistance and Indigenous-specific funding opportunities.

Indigenous Student Services

Website: www.mohawkcollege.ca/indigenous-students

International Students

International students should contact International Student Services (ISS) as their first point of contact. The ISS team will review the student's circumstances, discuss available resources, and provide guidance regarding any emergency funding opportunities that may be available.

International Student Services

Understanding emergency financial support

What qualifies as an emergency?

A financial emergency occurs when unexpected events outside of your control impact your ability to meet your basic needs.

Examples may include:

  • Unexpected loss of income
  • Sudden housing instability or risk of eviction
  • Food insecurity
  • Uninsured emergency medical, dental, or prescription expenses
  • Family emergencies resulting in financial hardship
  • Unexpected transportation costs affecting your ability to attend classes or placement
  • Other unforeseen circumstances that significantly impact your financial well-being

Each situation is assessed individually, and approval is not guaranteed.

Who is eligible?

To be considered for emergency financial support, students must typically:

  • Be enrolled in an eligible program at Mohawk College
  • Be actively attending an eligible full-time, part-time, Continuing Education, or apprenticeship program during the term of application
  • Demonstrate an unexpected financial emergency
  • Demonstrate financial need
  • Have explored available resources, including OSAP (if applicable), government assistance, bursaries, scholarships, employment income, and personal supports
  • Provide supporting documentation related to their circumstances

Meeting the eligibility requirements does not guarantee funding.

What Happens Next?

We understand that experiencing a financial emergency can be stressful. Our goal is to make the process as straightforward as possible and help you explore the support available.

Step 1: Reach Out

Contact the Financial Assistance Office (domestic students) or International Student Services (international students). Briefly explain your situation, what happened, and how it's affecting your ability to meet your basic needs.

Step 2: Review Your Circumstances

Our team will review your situation, discuss available financial resources, and help determine whether you may be eligible for emergency financial assistance.

You may be asked to complete an online application and provide supporting documentation, such as proof of an unexpected expense, loss of income, or other information relevant to your circumstances.

Step 3: Receive a Decision and Explore Next Steps

If your request is eligible for consideration, it will be assessed based on your financial circumstances, demonstrated need, and available funding.

You'll be informed of the outcome and any next steps. If emergency funding isn't available, our team can help connect you with other College or community resources.

Please note: Emergency financial assistance is limited, and funding is not guaranteed. Requests are reviewed as quickly as possible, although timelines may vary depending on individual circumstances and the information required.

Additional support by need

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Food & Basic Needs

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Housing

Explore Housing Support

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Financial Support

Explore Financial Assistance Options

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Health & Wellness

Access Health & Wellness Services

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Accessibility

Explore Accessibility Services

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Community Support

Find Community Resources

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Understanding Emergency Funding

 

What qualifies as a financial emergency?

A financial emergency is an unexpected situation beyond your control that makes it difficult to afford basic living expenses or continue your studies.

Examples may include a sudden loss of income, housing instability, food insecurity, unexpected medical or dental expenses, or an urgent family emergency.

Every situation is different, and requests are reviewed individually.

What expenses are not covered by emergency funding?

Emergency financial assistance is intended to help with urgent, unexpected expenses rather than ongoing or anticipated financial needs.

Funding is generally not available for:

  • Tuition, compulsory fees, or outstanding College balances
  • Student loan repayments
  • Credit card payments or personal debt
  • Lifestyle or discretionary expenses
  • Regular living expenses or costs that were known or planned in advance

If you're having difficulty managing ongoing expenses, our teams can help you explore other financial assistance options and available resources.

How much emergency funding can I receive?

There is no guaranteed amount of assistance. Any funding offered will depend on your individual circumstances, demonstrated financial need, and available funding.

Emergency financial assistance is intended to provide short-term support and may not cover the full cost of your emergency.

Eligibility & Applications

 

How are emergency funding requests assessed?

Each request is reviewed individually to better understand your circumstances and financial needs.

When assessing your request, we consider:

  • Your situation: What happened and how it's affecting you.
  • Your financial circumstances: Your current income, expenses, and immediate financial needs.
  • Available resources: Other funding or supports you may be able to access, such as OSAP (if applicable), bursaries, insurance, or community assistance.
  • Supporting documentation: Information or documents that help us understand and verify your circumstances.

Emergency funding is limited, and meeting the eligibility requirements does not guarantee assistance.

What documents will I need to provide?

Depending on your circumstances, you may be asked to provide documents such as:

  • Proof of an unexpected loss of income
  • A rent notice or documentation of a housing emergency
  • Medical, dental, or prescription invoices
  • Receipts or estimates for unexpected essential expenses
  • Other financial information relevant to your emergency
     

You don't need to have everything ready before reaching out. Our teams will let you know what information or documentation is required for your specific situation and how to submit it securely. To protect your personal information, please avoid sending sensitive documents by regular email unless specifically instructed to do so through an approved College process.

Do I need to receive OSAP to qualify?

Not necessarily. Emergency financial assistance is based on your individual circumstances and demonstrated financial need.

However, if you're eligible for OSAP or other government financial assistance, you may be required to explore and access those funding options before being considered for emergency support.

Can international students request emergency financial assistance?

Yes. International students experiencing an unexpected financial emergency are encouraged to contact International Student Services (ISS).

The ISS team can review your circumstances, discuss available resources, and provide guidance on emergency funding opportunities that may be available to you.

Contact International Student Services

Can part-time or continuing education students request emergency financial assistance? 

Yes. Students enrolled in full-time, part-time, Continuing Education, or apprenticeship studies who are experiencing an unexpected financial emergency are encouraged to reach out for support.

Eligibility for emergency funding may vary depending on your program, enrolment status, and available funding. Our teams can review your circumstances and help you explore the support options available.

 

Domestic Students: Contact Financial Assistance

International Students: Contact International Student Services

Decisions & Additional Support

 

How long will it take to receive a decision?

We understand that financial emergencies can be stressful and that you may need help quickly.

Requests are reviewed as quickly as possible. However, processing times may vary depending on the number of requests received, the complexity of your situation, and whether additional documentation is required.

While your request is being reviewed, we encourage you to continue exploring other available College and community resources.

Can I receive emergency financial assistance more than once?

Emergency financial assistance is intended to help with unexpected, short-term financial hardship rather than ongoing financial needs.

Generally, students may only be considered for emergency funding once per academic year.

If you experience another financial emergency, we still encourage you to contact the appropriate support team. While additional funding is not guaranteed, our teams can review your circumstances and help you explore other available resources.

What if I don't qualify for emergency funding?

Even if you're not eligible for emergency financial assistance, there may be other ways we can help.

Mohawk offers a range of financial assistance programs, student services, and community resources to support students experiencing financial challenges.

Visit our Financial Assistance webpage or explore the additional resources listed on this page to find support that meets your needs.

Who should I contact if I need help right away?

If you're experiencing an urgent financial emergency affecting your ability to afford food, housing, or other basic necessities, we encourage you to reach out as soon as possible.

Domestic Students: Contact Financial Assistance

International Students: Contact International Student Services

For immediate assistance with food, housing, or other essential needs, you can also contact 211 Ontario or dial 2-1-1 to find community supports in your area.

Need Immediate Mental Health Support?

If you need immediate mental health support, there are services available 24/7. If there is an immediate risk of harm to yourself or others, contact 911. 

Find immediate support

Our commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion

At Mohawk College, we are dedicated to achieving a more diverse, equitable, accessible, and inclusive environment for all who learn, live, and work within our community – an environment characterized by a fundamental shared commitment to respectful engagement and human dignity.