Student Emergency Assistance Grant (SEAG)
When the unexpected happens, we’re here to help!
The Student Emergency Assistance Grant (SEAG) program supports students facing sudden, short-term emergencies that might disrupt their education.
If you’re interested to know more, read below or schedule a time to meet with a Basic Needs Navigator.
What counts as an emergency?
Emergencies can look different for everyone. Typically, we consider emergencies to be sudden, short-term situations that puts your ability to stay in school at risk.
Some examples include:
- Being currently homeless and need funds to move into a new home.
- Loss of income prevents you from affording food and other essential supplies.
- Car troubles that prevent you from getting to class
- Unexpected medical expenses
- Needing to move quickly due to safety concerns.
If you’re unsure, come meet with a Basic Needs Navigator. We’re here to listen and understand. We’ll work with you to figure out the best kind of support – even if this grant isn’t the right fit.
Schedule a Meeting with a Navigator
Students who are currently enrolled at Pierce College. Currently enrolled means that you are taking classes during the same quarter you’re requesting help.
Students have an intake conversation with a Basic Needs Navigator online, by phone, or in-person. Afterwards, you’ll fill out a short online request form that asks how much, and what kind, of support you need.
SEAG includes support from two funding sources, but students only need to request help through SEAG.
You tell us how much you need. We’ll contribute as much as we can based on your request and the funds we have available.
Funds can be used to pay for any essential need related to your emergency.
However, SEAG funds cannot be used to pay for tuition or tuition-related costs.
You can request SEAG funds once per academic year. The academic year starts in July and ends in June of the following year.
While SEAG includes more than one funding source, students are limited to only one award per academic year.
Funds are sent directly to you through BankMobile, a secure service that lets you receive money by direct deposit.
You’ll need access to your Pierce College email (ending in @smail.pcd.edu) and a Personal Code to set up your BankMobile account.
Your personal code is mailed to you once you enroll at Pierce. If you need a new personal code to enroll, request one through BankMobile or the Cashiering Office. They can send you a new code. This process typically takes 1–2 business days.
If you cannot enroll in BankMobile, talk to your Basic Needs Navigator for other options.
We do our best to disburse funds within 4 days.
Your Basic Needs Navigator will follow up with you to see how you’re doing.
We’ll also send you two survey opportunities to share about your experience and ideas for how to improve the request process.