About the Student Emergency Relief Fund (SERF)
The Student Emergency Relief Fund was created, as part of Montgomery Essential Needs, to assist WMU students who have urgent financial emergencies that would interfere with their path to graduation from Western Michigan University. This fund is made possible through donor generosity, including an endowment and previous sales of the official WMU Game Day t-shirt.
The SERF is not intended to support expected costs of attendance (tuition, textbooks, past due balances of outstanding charges, etc.) or be used on an ongoing basis for routine expenses. Students who need assistance in meeting their expected costs of attendance should contact Bronco Express (domestic students) or International Admissions and Services (international students) to schedule an appointment with a representative to discuss their situation.
SERF Application
You are strongly encouraged to closely monitor your email - including the spam folder - during this time to ensure you receive all messages. Lack of communication or response from applicants can be a reason for denial.
This is not a scholarship. Applications are reviewed on an individual basis, as quickly as possible, in the order received. Applications are reviewed by Student Financial Aid to determine if alternative sources of financial assistance are available to you and you will be notified accordingly. Please note that if your application is approved, SERF aid may be counted toward your total financial aid package and may affect your eligibility for other forms of financial assistance. This is a short-term emergency fund intended to address urgent, unexpected financial needs that would otherwise jeopardize a student’s academic progress. Students are typically eligible for one-time or rare use of the fund. Average award amounts are between $500-$700. Maximum lifetime awards typically do not exceed $1000 unless under exceptional circumstances.
Questions regarding the Student Emergency Relief Fund? Please email dosa-serf@wmich.edu or contact Donielle Easlick, program manager, at (269) 387-2021.
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