Emergency Aid Resources for Students

College of the Siskiyous provides short-term emergency loan or grant assistance for students who qualify. This loan or grant is intended for one-time, emergency expense(s) that could prohibit the student’s ability to attend college. Examples of emergencies include emergency car repair, loss of property (i.e. books stolen), or unexpected book/college supplies cost.

College of the Siskiyous has a food pantry, book loan program, transportation assistance and other services that may be used in place of a loan for eligible students. You will need to discuss your options with someone in Basecamp, located in the Learning Resource Center (LRC), Weed campus, before submitting the application.

Short-term emergency loans will not be available after semester mid-term or 30 days before the end of the semester, whichever is later.

Who is Eligible?

• Students must be currently enrolled for 6 units or more (Late start classes are not considered "enrolled" until the start date.)
• Students must demonstrate ability to repay loan (financial aid pending, work/job, etc.).
• The loan applicant cannot be past due on any other payment due to the college.
• Students cannot be dual-enrolled high school students.
• Students must be able to document emergency expense with a copy of a bill, lease agreement or statement of expense.
• Exceptions made on a case-by-case basis.

Emergency Loan and Grant Information

• Students may apply for up to $200, per documented emergency expense for an emergency loan or grant.
  • Please check with the staff at Basecamp before completing the amount requested.
• The application must be completed and submitted to Basecamp, located in the Learning Resource Center (LRC), Weed campus.
• Students must participate in financial coaching as part of the application process.
• Loan checks will be made payable to the student and added to the student's COS account and identified as Student Emergency loan debt.
• Students who have met the criteria for a grant will have the check made payable to the entity for which the grant is needed (i.e. directly to PGE in the documented amount). The grant amount will not be applied to the student account.

Loan Repayment Information

• Repayment is due by the next financial aid disbursement or 30 days of loan application, whichever is sooner.
  • Payments can be made by cash, check or debit/credit card. Debit/Credit card payments can be made online through "mySiskiyous" or at the Cashier Office at the Weed or Yreka Campus.
  • A late fee of $10 may be applied to the balance every 30 days that the loan is outstanding/due.
  • Loans not repaid by the end of the semester or due date (whichever is later) will be sent to "collections."
• Repayment information will be verified. That is, we will call your supervisor to confirm employment or check with the Financial Aid Office to confirm pending aid, as appropriate.
• Once a loan has been sent to "collections", the student may not receive another short-term emergency loan at College of the Siskiyous.
• A Student Services hold will be placed on the student's record until the loan is paid in full. That means, the student will not be able to add/drop classes and/or receive transcripts while the hold is in effect.

Emergency Loan and Grant Process

Application

• Students will complete the Short-Term Emergency Loan/Grant application.
• Either fill out the application online or complete it legibly in ink.
• All spaces must be filled in properly.
• Documentation of expense (i.e. copy of bill, list of books and price, etc.) must accompany application.
• Loan applicants must state the exact date of repayment---"I will repay the loan in full by    xx/xx/xxxx   . " (i.e. 01/01/2018. Date must be the next financial aid disbursement or within 30 days from date of loan application).
• The Student Equity Specialist from Basecamp will review the application and the process with the student. Students may be referred to other resources which may better address the student need(s).
• Submit the completed application to Basecamp, located at the Learning Resource Center (LRC), Weed campus.
• Applications will be reviewed by two members of the Short-Term Emergency Loan/Grant Team.
  • Applications will be reviewed to see if the student meets the following criteria:
    • Demonstrated need (documentation of the cost of the emergency expense),
    • Enrolled in 6 units or more (credit classes),
    • Not a dual-enrolled high school student,
    • For loans: ability to repay loan within 30 days of application.
    • For grants: the "emergency" is beyond the student's control, creates a severe hardship, documented and the student has no other resources.
  • References will be checked, and verification of employment will be confirmed if the loan is to be repaid when the student receives a paycheck.
• Approved applications will have a check disbursed within two business days. Exceptions may be made on a case-by-case basis. Student must have valid ID card in order to pick up the check.
• Applications submitted to the Yreka office will be processed when they arrive at the Weed office. Therefore, the timeframe for processing may be longer.
  • Allow additional processing time for holidays and campus closures.
• Students will be notified via email regarding approval or denial. Therefore, it's important that a current email address is included on the applications.

For Additional Information