Student Emergency Fund

A young student cooking in the Student VillageAll Hornets have struggles…but not all have the same resources.

The Student Emergency Fund (SEF) supports students who encounter financial emergencies and challenges during their time at SUNY Broome.

Students may apply for a grant of up to $500.00 per year from the Student Emergency Fund.

Financial insecurity is an ongoing issue for many students (learn more below), and a sudden emergency can derail college plans. Through SEF grants, our students can feel confident that, though times may be challenging, SUNY Broome is here to help them continue their education.

Together, we can help students stay in college and move into a brighter tomorrow.

Your gift can make a difference — join us today!

Gifts to the Student Emergency Fund will help with essential non-tuition-related expenses such as:

  • Unexpected medical bills
  • Housing costs
  • Transportation costs
  • Utility costs
  • Other emergency situations

“Our students have demonstrated remarkable persistence through countless challenges and barriers. Students do not get to choose when an emergency occurs which may threaten their ability to pay rent or buy school materials. The funding can make a world of difference and allow the students to persist in achieving their goals.”

David M. Michalak (LAAA ’13)
SUNY Broome Academic Advisor & Faculty Association Vice President

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65.5% of SUNY Broome students are natives of Broome County, which has a poverty rate that is 6.5% higher than the national average.

Individuals with an associate degree will earn more than those with only a high school diploma. They earn 18% to 26% more income annually or approximately 18.17% more weekly. Additionally, higher education leads to greater employment. In 2024, those with an associate degree had a 2.8% unemployment rate versus a 4.2% unemployment rate for those who did not continue their education after high school.

Helping students on their path to graduation often creates greater economic security in their future.

Community college students are vulnerable to food insecurity.

During the Spring 2025 semester, approximately 98 SUNY Broome students visited The Hornet Hope Center food pantry and clothing closet daily. There were over 6,500 visits in total. Every semester since the HHC has opened, there has been an increase in need and use of this resource, reported Supplemental Support Services Coordinator & Homeless Liaison Lorie Brewer (ISAS ‘98).

Over half of SUNY community college students reported skipping meals due to being unable to afford food, according to a 2019 survey by the State University of New York (SUNY). In 2019, SUNY students in the Southern Tier made 30,000 visits to a campus or campus-partnered food pantry, according to a Food Pantry report by the SUNY System Administration’s Food Insecurity Task Force.

An education study in 2017 estimated that one-third of two-year students are housing insecure, with about 14% experiencing homelessness. It also found that, among housing-insecure community college students, the most common challenges were paying rent, mortgage, or utility bills.

Additionally, as most of our students are Broome County residents, they are affected by their local environment. New York is the state with the second-highest rate of homelessness. In 2023, 15.2% of Broome County residents were experiencing severe housing problems.

The SUNY Broome Student Emergency Fund, established during the COVID-19 pandemic, has awarded $324,118 to 598 students as of July 2024.

In Fall 2023 — Spring 2024, most SEF grants (61%) were awarded to address housing and utilities needs. 14% of grants were for transportation assistance, 7% for medical expenses, and the remainder for other needs.

Unexpected bills and unforeseen events can damage anyone’s financial situation. Additionally, many college students, due to their age, have not had time to build up a safety net. Your gift will help students meet their needs, academic and beyond.

SUNY Broome offers help with The Hornet Hope Center (our food pantry and clothing closet), a daycare center, counseling, and many other services. Learn more about various supports for students.