Emergency Aid at SNHU: Real Support for Online Students

Financial setbacks shouldn’t end a student’s education – but for 3 million students each year, they do. Often, just a few hundred dollars in emergency aid can make the difference. Emergency aid not only helps students cover unexpected costs but also significantly improves their chances of graduating. 

This case study explores how Southern New Hampshire University (SNHU) leveraged emergency aid to keep students enrolled and on track.  

The Challenge: 23% of Undergraduates Face Food Insecurity – SNHU’s Online Students Are No Exception 

The traditional college student model – young, living on campus, focused solely on studies – is no longer the norm. Many students balance work, family, and education, and basic needs insecurity is a widespread issue. Federal data shows:

• 23% of undergraduate students experience food insecurity  

• 8% of undergraduate students experience homelessness 

• These challenges are even more severe at Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), Tribal Colleges and Universities (TCUs), and for-profit institutions.
  

At SNHU, where 97% of the school’s 180,000-plus students are online, financial instability was amplified by the COVID-19 pandemic. Students lost jobs, struggled with childcare, and faced unexpected medical expenses – threatening their ability to stay in school.  

The Solution: $107M in Emergency Aid Increased Retention by 16%

During the pandemic, SNHU leveraged $107 million in Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund (HEERF) emergency grants, provided as part of federal COVID relief efforts, to support more than 50,000 students. The impact was clear: 

• Basic needs insecurity is a major barrier. Housing, transportation, and food were top challenges; 56% of recipients had dependents. 

• Emergency aid fills critical gaps. 87% of recipients also received financial aid. 

• Emergency aid recipients were significantly more likely to persist. HEERF recipients were 16% more likely to stay enrolled. 

Why It Worked: Targeted Support and Rapid Response 

SNHU’s emergency aid program was effective because it addressed real student needs, filled financial gaps, and ensured fast access to funding. 

• Focused on Critical Needs – Housing, transportation, and food were top concerns, especially for students with dependents. 

• Bridged Financial Aid Gaps – Nearly half of SNHU students receive Pell Grants, but traditional aid doesn’t always cover emergencies. Most emergency aid recipients were already receiving financial aid. 

• Fast Distribution Kept Students Enrolled – Students received funds quickly enough to prevent crises from forcing them to drop out.
  

This proactive, needs-based approach helped SNHU students stay in school—demonstrating the power of well-designed emergency aid. 

At Scholarship America, this is How We Think About Emergency Aid 

For nearly 20 years, Scholarship America has partnered with colleges and organizations to provide life-changing emergency financial assistance – ensuring students stay enrolled when unexpected costs threaten their education. 

A small intervention can prevent a major crisis, whether it’s a $300 license fee that allows a student to secure employment or a $500 grant that prevents eviction. 

Watch our video, One Scholarship Away, to meet four students whose college and career dreams nearly ended due to sudden financial crises. Thanks to emergency aid, they stayed on track to graduate.