College of Education and Human Development

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CEHD Student Resilience Fund

 

The CEHD Student Resilience Fund application is now open.

The CEHD Student Resilience Fund is designed to support students facing financial hardships that hinder them from completing their degree in the College of Education and Human Development. This fund provides assistance with current essential needs such as textbooks, class fees, account balances, campus parking fees, technology, and more.  

College of Education and Human Development
Western Michigan University
Kalamazoo MI 49008-5229 USA
Main office:  (269) 387-2960
Student services: (269) 387-3474

All undergraduate and graduate CEHD students are eligible to apply. However, preference will be given to undergraduate upperclassmen (juniors and seniors), graduate students nearing their final semester, and first-generation students. 

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How to apply

All CEHD students are eligible to apply. Students should only apply if this is their final option for financial support.
—Application opened on February 3, 2025
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Frequently Asked Questions

All CEHD undergraduate and graduate students facing a financial hardship are eligible to apply. Preference is given to undergraduate upperclassmen (juniors or seniors), graduate students nearing their final semester, and first-generation students.  

The CEHD Student Resilience Fund is designed to address immediate and urgent needs. It does not cover preemptive or anticipated educational costs, such as future tuition, textbooks, or housing. This fund is intended to help with current barriers that impact your ability to succeed right now. 

The fund can assist with essential educational needs such as textbooks, class fees, student account balances, campus parking fees, technology, and other necessary educational costs. 

The amount awarded depends on the specific needs outlined in your application and the type of expenses you are requesting assistance for. For example, if you are requesting assistance with a WMU parking pass for one semester, you would be awarded the cost of the parking pass ($150). 

It's important to note that this fund relies on donations and is not an endowment, meaning it does not have permanent or unlimited funding. Because of this, the CEHD Student Success and Scholarship team works to exhaust all other available resources both on and off WMU's campus to assist students before accessing this fund. 

Students can only be awarded from the CEHD Student Resilience Fund once every two academic years. However, if a student is experiencing another financial hardship after receiving assistance, they are encouraged to reach out to the CEHD Scholarship and Outreach Specialist to explore what other financial options may be available to them.  

CEHD students apply for funding through the designated application process. Once submitted, their request is logged, and CEHD staff review eligibility. Before awarding resilience funding, the team explores all possible resources to help meet the student's need. This includes reaching out to the student's college department for support, connecting with Student Financial Aid staff on available options, collaborating with faculty to secure textbooks or course materials, identifying external scholarships or emergency grants, and connecting students with campus services such as food pantries and housing assistance. Only after exhausting these options does the team determine the final award amount based on need and available funding. Decisions are communicated via email to the student. This process can take anywhere from 1 to 2 business weeks. 

After submitting your application, you can expect a response from the CEHD Student Resilience Fund committee within 1-2 business weeks. Please check your email regularly for updates on the status of your application.  

The CEHD Student Resilience Fund has limited resources, and not all applicants will be awarded this financial support. If you do not receive funding, we encourage you to explore other campus resources or financial assistance programs by exploring the CEHD Toolkit.

The CEHD Student Resilience Fund is made possible through the generosity of donors in our WMU community. It's important to note this fund relies on donations and is not an endowment, meaning it does not have permanent or unlimited funding. 

A Community of Care

The CEHD Student Resilience Fund is made possible through the generosity of CEHD community members—alumni, faculty, staff, and friends—who are committed to helping students overcome financial barriers. Their donations ensure that students can stay on track with their academic goals despite challenges, making a lasting impact on the future of education and human development. We are grateful for their support in empowering students to succeed. 
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