Wright Thing to Do - Student Emergency Assistance Fund

Supported by John and Linda Wright

The Westmoreland Emergency Assistance Fund provides support to currently enrolled students who are at-risk of dropping out due to unexpected financial emergencies. We understand there are many stressors that hinder a student’s ability to focus on academics and to be a successful student. Sometimes, all it takes is a little help to get over that life hurdle, finish school and secure a better future.

Items we can assist students in paying due to unexpected emergencies:

Medical/dental expenses
Utilities
Housing/rent
Public transportation/bus passes

Childcare
Gas
Personal automobile expenses
Food/meals

Items that are not eligible for Emergency Assistance:

Entertainment (including cable)
Tuition
Fees
Books

Legal fees
Tobacco
Alcohol

Eligibility

To be eligible to apply for Westmoreland Emergency Assistance, students must:

Currently be taking courses in a credit program and seeking a degree/diploma/certificate
Have already successfully completed at least six credit hours with a 2.0 or higher at Westmoreland County Community College. Exceptions are made for students requesting a bus pass.
Have completed the Free Application for Federal Financial Aid (FAFSA)

Things to Consider

If you received a refund check during the current academic year, you must be prepared to provide a detailed budget of how you spent the money.

Additional Eligibility Information

Current students are eligible for a maximum of $300 per semester. In addition, all students are eligible to receive assistance no more than three times in their lifetime as a student. Westmoreland has a fixed amount of money to allocate per semester. Please note that once those funds are depleted, the application process will close until the beginning of the next semester.

How to Apply

Submit an online application- Emergency Assistance Program Application. You must provide documentation of need, which can include, but is not limited to, copies of bills, estimates and rental agreements. You must also provide a detailed monthly budget in order to be eligible for Emergency Assistance.

Please go to cashcourse.org and follow these steps:

Click Register Now!
Select Yes, I have a code and enter this 4-digit access code: 4852.
Provide your name, Westmoreland student email, and student ID.
Verify your account.
Choose a username. You can make up your own or use a prepopulated suggestion.
Click the Let's Get Started! play button.
Click on the Build Your Budget box, Budget Wizard and Create New Budget. From there, follow the prompts to complete the budget.
You can then download it in an Excel file and email it to girondFREEWESTMORELAND.

Incomplete applications will not be reviewed. Once a completed application is received, you will be contacted via email and/or phone to discuss the matter further.

If you need help, contact the Emergency%20Assistance%20Administrator.

About the Student Emergency Assistance Fund

Through The Wright Thing to Do Scholarship Trust Golf Outing, John and Linda Wright have generously supported Westmoreland students for many years. When the outing first began, a portion of the proceeds was directed to the college’s Dreamkeepers fund. After Westmoreland established its own Student Emergency Assistance Fund, John and Linda continued their commitment to helping students facing unexpected financial challenges. They partnered with the Educational Foundation to purchase naming rights for the fund, and this year marks the final payment toward that pledge.

John and Linda believe it’s essential for students to have a place to turn when life throws them a curveball—and they’re proud to help make that support possible.