NOVA to Launch Employee Emergency Assistance Fund

Northern Virginia Community College and the NOVA Foundation today will launch the NOVA Employee Emergency Assistance Fund. The fund will provide financial assistance to NOVA employees who are experiencing an unforeseen financial hardship. The program is administered through the NOVA Office of Human Resources and a committee comprised of the executive director of the NOVA Educational Foundation, the associate vice president of human resources and three at-large members, NOVA employees appointed by the College Senate. The Employee Emergency Assistance Fund is possible because of the support of the NOVA Foundation and the generosity of NOVA employees. The application is now available on the NOVA website, and information on eligibility is below.

Applicants must document a precipitating “event” and resulting financial hardship. Eligible events include: housing disruption (eviction or foreclosure), utility disconnection, safety needs (e.g., domestic violence), unforeseen medical expenses/major illness and death of an immediate family member.

• Medical Expenses: to aid the employee in a medical emergency not reimbursable by insurance or where insurance coverage does not apply. Normal health maintenance expenses are not eligible;
• Transportation: to aid in costly repairs only when car is necessary to continue employment (i.e., aid following an accident, fire or theft). Aid does not include car payments, insurance premiums, taxes, normal maintenance or repair charges.

Due to limited resources, assistance will be granted no more than once per fiscal year per requesting employee, and grant awards will be at most $750.00. Applicants who receive less than the maximum limit are not eligible to apply for an additional grant. The grant is intended to cover financial loss due to circumstances beyond the employee’s control (i.e., a crisis/emergency). If granted, payment is made directly to the employee’s creditor/service provider whenever possible. If the award must be paid directly to the applicant, it is considered a special payment and CAPP Manual policies and procedures will apply.

Confidentiality will be maintained at all times. Only Human Resources and the Executive Director of the NOVA Foundation will have access to names and any identifying information of applicants. The information provided on the application will be used only for the purpose of assessing and awarding funds under this program. Additional information or documentation beyond what is requested on the application may be required in order for the committee to render a decision. The committee will not consider any application unless all requested documentation is submitted by the applicant.

To be considered, an applicant must:

• Be an active employee, full‐time or part‐time, with at least six months of continuous service at the date the application is submitted. NOVA students who are employed by the college are not eligible.
• Have experienced a verifiable, temporary financial hardship because of an emergency situation within six months of the date of application.
• Have not received a grant award through NOVA’s Employee Emergency Assistance Fund within the current fiscal year, regardless of the total amount awarded.
• Have considered other possible resources which either were not available or are not enough.
• Be able to provide documentation verifying the need for funds.

The following expenses are not eligible for assistance:

• Lost wages
• Cosmetic/dental procedures, unless emergency procedure
• Workers Compensation expenses
• Bankruptcy debt
• Court-ordered payment or child custody cases
• Credit card debt
• Entertainment and recreational
• Legal fees/fines
• Life insurance payments
• Pet expenses
• Household appliances and furniture payments
• Household expenses such as cable/satellite television, internet, laundry, security services
• Pregnancy expenses are not eligible if for routine coverage
• Funeral expenses for family other than immediate family members.

For full details and contact information, click Here.