Bengal-to-Bengal Emergency Support
Open to all students, Buffalo State University is proud to support our emergency program provided in honor of our previous joint effort between the Gerstner Family Foundation and the Heckscher Foundation for Children, to help students facing emergency situation in the short term and to help them graduate from college in the long term.
"It has allowed me to be able to continue my studies at Buffalo State."
"It has taken a huge weight off my shoulders and helped me stop stressing and focus on my classes."
"It helped me feel like I'm not alone and I can receive help."
"Everyday I love Buff State more and more."
About Bengal-to-Bengal
The fund is administered by the Office of Student Care and Support and Dean of Students.
Bengal-to-Bengal was originally funded by the Gerstner Family Foundation and the Heckscher Foundation for Children. Ongoing support from the Buffalo State University foundation and generous donors ensures that grants remain available for students.
To be eligible for a Bengal-to-Bengal grant students must:
- be currently registered;
- be in good academic standing (GPA of at least 2.0);
- be a US citizen, permanent resident, or have DACA status
- have exhausted all available financial aid (as verified by the Financial Aid Office); and
- have experienced a qualified unforeseen event or unexpected need for funding
Applications will only be accepted during the fall and spring semesters.
Ongoing, chronic, or anticipated expenses do not qualify for the grant. Examples of unexpected events include (not exhaustive): homelessness or threat of eviction, medical emergency, natural disaster, and domestic violence.
Qualified expenses include: overdue rent (with eviction notice), medical bills, utilities, winter clothing, replacement of necessary items following natural disasters, and transportation costs (under certain, limited circumstances).
The grant cannot be used for tuition, books, credit card debt, cable bills, or legal representation.
You will be asked to provide documentation of unmet need. This includes (not exhaustive) medical bills, utility bills, verification of emergency, and eviction notices. Grants will not be provided without appropriate documentation.
- Students do not receive the grants directly; for example: overdue rent is paid directly to the landlord
- The maximum amount of the grant is $2000
- Bengal-to-Bengal grants are one-time only
You can complete the application at this link.
You will be required to upload your supporting documentation
You will receive an email from the Office of Student Care and Support to schedule a meeting to review your application. This meeting must be in-person and you will be asked to provide your supporting documentation. You may not receive a determination at this meeting, as some applications require additional review.
If, after your meeting with the grant administrator, you are determined to be ineligible for the grant, every effort will be made by the Office of Student Care and Support to connect you with other potential resources, both on- and off-campus.