Signum Fidei Student Support Fund Policies and Procedures
Christian Brothers University continues to address the needs of our students who are facing immediate, unforeseen financial hardship with our Signum Fidei Student Support Fund – supported by generous donors as a “sign of faith” in our students. This fund, previously known simply as the Student Emergency Fund, originated with the recognition that our students were facing tremendous hardship during the COVID-19 pandemic and continues today through generous donations. The fund provides resources to currently enrolled CBU students in financial need due to unforeseen circumstances that are beyond the student’s control.
As a means of temporary assistance, applicants are expected to actively seek additional remedies to address their ongoing financial challenges. Students may, however, apply for assistance from the Signum Fidei Student Support Fund more than once.
After considering other resources (pending refunds, student loans, payment plans, additional student aid such as federal work-study, assistance from family/friends, other personal resources), students may choose to apply. This funding is NOT intended to reimburse students for expenses that have already been paid, or to replace or supplement existing financial aid.
Expenses and Eligibility
Expenses that MAY be Covered:
• Medications and other costs related to emergency medical care.
• Food and/or toiletries, outside the Buc Stop Community Food Pantry on campus.
• Items related to academic success.
• Replacement of essential personal belongings or temporary housing needs, due to loss of employment, fire, or natural disaster.
Expenses that will NOT be Covered:
• Tuition, fees, health insurance, and study abroad costs.
• Non-essential utilities (i.e. cable), household, or furniture costs
• Loaner computers for academic use will no longer be provided by the university. If a laptop is needed, it should be requested in the student statement for committee review.
• Regularly anticipated fixed expenses (i.e. rent, tuition, fees, monthly bills).
• Parking tickets.
• Fees assessed by the University.
• Entertainment, recreation, non-emergency travel or other non-essential expenses.
Eligibility Requirements
• Applicants must be currently enrolled students.
• Applicants must have an immediate financial hardship resulting from an emergency, accident, or other unexpected critical incident.
• Expenses must be unexpected, unforeseen, urgent, and unavoidable.
• All other resources, including pending refunds, personal insurance and student loans must have been considered and are either insufficient, unavailable, or not available in a timely manner.
• Applicants must complete all questions in full. Supporting documentation is advised.
• Student has read the stated polices and procedures - also understanding that falsifying or withholding information in this application may result in a referral to the Dean of Students for disciplinary actions.
Application Review
Once received, each application is reviewed on its own merit, with no automatic guarantees for funding. The committee reviews the student’s statement, evaluates the emergent nature of the request, and considers the funds readily available to the student. In situations where a work study position or a financial aid pathway is possible, the student will be encouraged to seek those avenues.
The committee makes a recommendation to the administration for funding – and final approval.
Signum Fidei Student Support Fund Policies and Procedures updated on November 21, 2022. All future submissions are subject to these guidelines.