Hero Image
 

Southwest Cares

Southwest Cares

Southwest Cares

Employee Emergency Fund Overview

The Employee Emergency Fund helps Southwest Tennessee Community College students facing unforeseen financial emergencies or catastrophic events that may prevent them from continuing their education.

These funds are not intended for routine or recurring expenses and must address urgent needs.

Eligible Expenses:

  • Temporary housing or rent assistance
  • Utility bills (water, electricity, gas)
  • Medical or prescription costs
  • Minor car repairs
  • Internet or technology support for online classes

Not Covered:

  • Tuition or books (other resources may be available)
  • Grocery expenses
  • Child support or credit card payments
  • Furniture payments
  • Cash payments to students

Please submit the following:

  • Completed Emergency Fund Application
  • Brief explanation of your emergency and how it affects your ability to attend or stay enrolled
  • Supporting documentation, such as:
    • Lease/eviction notice
    • Utility shut-off notice
    • Medical bill or prescription
    • Internet bill or car repair invoice

To process your request, you must also provide:

  • Invoice that includes:
    • Your first and last name
    • Billing address
    • Past due amount
  • Remittance Address: Where the payment check should be mailed
  • W-9 Form: Completed by the company or vendor receiving payment
  • Your Student ID number and current contact information

  • Submission does not guarantee funding
  • Requests are reviewed as quickly as possible
  • If approved, payment is made directly to the vendor, not the student
  • Incomplete applications will delay processing

  •  Incomplete requests will not be processed. 
  • Supporting documentation and signatures are required and must be submitted with the application. (Examples of documentation include: eviction/foreclosure notifications, past due utilities, police/fire report, invoice of funeral expenses, doctor’s note and other related documentation.) Screen shots are not acceptable.  
  • If the employee shares a home with a relative/friend and the past due notice is in the relative’s name, a letter from the relative must be attached stating the employee’s financial obligation to the household. 
  • Documentation must be on letterhead or be an official statement from the owed party.
  • Only one request for assistance per employee, per year, (rolling 12 months) will be granted in a 365-day period. 
  • Employees should not apply for the same financial hardship more than once.

Should the committee approve the application, payments will be made directly to the company owed. No payments will be made directly to the employee.  No payments will be made to offset debt associated with the following:

  • Credit cards
  • Child support
  • Gambling
  • Legal fees or fines

INSTRUCTIONS: 
Please fill out the form below completely. Incomplete requests will not be processed. Supporting documentation and signatures are required. Examples of acceptable documentation include: eviction/foreclosure notification, past due utility bill notice, policy/fire report, funeral expenses invoice, doctor’s note, etc. Supporting documentation must be on official letterhead or be an official statement from the property owner.  You may upload your documents using the 'Select Files' button below. No screenshots of computer screens will be accepted. Or you may email your scanned documents to sgibson12@southwest.tn.edu

 

Questions?
Contact Imani Smith at iqsmith@southwest.tn.edu or (901) 333-4238 for help with your application.