Purpose
The Indigenous Student Emergency Fund exists to provide short-term financial assistance to Indigenous students experiencing unexpected financial emergencies that may impact their ability to continue their studies. Donations to the fund continue to be made on an ongoing basis to support students in need.
Eligibility
Students must meet all of the following criteria:
- Self-identify as First Nations, Inuit, or Métis.
- Be currently enrolled in an academic program at Carleton University.
- Be engaged with a support worker or service appropriate to their individual needs”
- Students who do not currently have a support worker may request to connect with an Indigenous counsellor by emailing indigenouscounsellor@carleton.ca
- Demonstrate an immediate and unexpected financial hardship affecting their academic success.
Funding Limits
- Students may receive up to $1,000 per academic year (September to August).
- Requests for support that are above this limit may be considered in exceptional circumstances on a case by case basis.
- All exceptions require approval by the Provost and two members of from the CISCE team.
Eligible Expenses
Funding may be used for urgent, short-term needs including but not limited to:
- Housing or shelter emergencies
- Food insecurity
- Medical or safety-related expenses
- Emergency travel related to family or community crises
Non-Eligible Expenses
To ensure the fund is used for immediate, essential needs, the following expenses are not considered eligible:
- Non-essential or discretionary purchases
- Electronics upgrades (new phone, gaming consoles)
- Entertainment costs (streaming services, tickets)
- Décor or non-essential household items
- Long-term or recurring financial commitments
- Car payments or leases
- Loan payments
- Credit card debit or interest payments
- Travel not related to documented emergency
- Fees related to lifestyle or memberships (gym memberships, sport leagues)
- Fines or penalties (parking tickets, late fees, legal fees)
Application and Review Process
- To request and submit an application, as well as supporting documentation, please email indigenous@carleton.ca
- Requests up to $1,000 per student per academic year are reviewed and approved at the discretion of the Director or Assistant Director of CISCE.
- Any request that exceeds $1000 per student, per academic year must include the Indigenous Student Emergency Fund Application Form and will require a meeting with a member of the Centre for Indigenous Support and Community Engagement prior to approval. Final approval will come from The Office of the Provost and Vice-President (Academic)
- Students are required to confirm receipt of payment by signing a “Confirmation of payment form” (by cheque) or sending an email confirmation (direct deposit) to indigenous@carleton.ca