Wells Fargo Veterans Emergency Grant Program
The Wells Fargo Veterans Emergency Grants are designed to help U.S. military veterans who are pursuing a postsecondary degree and who face financial emergencies that impact their ability to pay for school.
Wells Fargo Veterans Emergency Grant Program
For college students, an unexpected financial setback can be a major disruption on the path to a degree. The Wells Fargo Veterans Emergency Grants are designed to help U.S. military veterans who are pursuing a postsecondary degree and who face financial emergencies that impact their ability to pay for school.
About the Scholarship
To ensure these unexpected expenses don’t force students to drop out of school, Wells Fargo is awarding immediate one-time grants up to $1,000 for eligible expenses. Grants will be awarded on an ongoing basis while funds are available; grant amounts will be determined based on the cost of the emergency need.
Eligibility
Applicants to the Wells Fargo Veterans Emergency Grant Program must:
- Have served in the United States military, this includes the Reserves and National Guard.
- Be honorably-discharged (no longer drilling or serving) veterans who have received a Certificate of Eligibility from the Department of Veterans Affairs or DD214 or another document of service stating “Honorable Discharged” by the program application deadline date. Spouses or widowed person of disabled veterans meeting the above criteria may also apply.
- Be high school or GED graduates, current undergraduate or graduate level one students enrolled in full-time undergraduate (first Associates or Bachelor’s) or graduate (first Master’s degree) study at an accredited two-year or four-year college, university, or vocational-technical school* for the entire upcoming academic year. Doctorate study is not eligible.
- Have completed the FAFSA to ensure full discovery of actual unmet need.
- Use any military education benefits for which they are eligible in the upcoming academic year.
- Have a minimum cumulative grade point average of 2.0 on a 4.0 scale, or its equivalent.
*College must not be on warning or probationary status with the federal government, or must not be in litigation with the federal government or a state.
Previous recipients are not eligible.
Awards
Emergency Grants
Emergency grants are available to eligible veterans who are enrolled full-time in postsecondary education and experience unexpected financial difficulties that might cause them to drop out from school. Grants are available for a one-time distribution based on the cost of the emergency need and not exceeding the amount of the eligible expense or a maximum of up to $1,000.
Identify one emergency need for consideration. Grants can be used for expenses such as:
- Housing/Rent
- Utilities
- Medical/Dental expenses
- Personal automobile repair expenses
- Public transportation
- Childcare
Preference will be given to housing (rent or mortgage) requests. Awards will be granted until all funds have been disbursed or the application deadline date, whichever occurs first.
Payment of Funds
If approved, recipient will receive a check made out to the company to which payment is due approximately two weeks after submission of a complete application. Applications are given consideration on first complete basis until funds available have been exhausted. In the event payment is needed sooner than two weeks, please contact Scholarship America directly to coordinate a solution.
Additional Resources
Beyond College: Wells Fargo Webinars
Covering a wide range of topics, from personal finances to professional development, the Beyond College Webinar series will help better prepare you for what’s next after college. To listen, replay or register for the event, please visit collegesteps.wf.com/beyond-college-webinar-series/
Requirements
As part of your application, you must upload the following supporting documents prior to application submission:
- A current, complete transcript of grades.
Grade reports are not accepted. Transcripts must display student name, school name, grade and credit hours for each course and term in which each course was taken. - Documentation of expense requesting payment (i.e. bill, invoice.) Document must display applicant’s name, company name, and date of expense.
- Copy of DD214 (preferred) OR Certificate of Eligibility from the Department of Veterans Affairs OR other document of service. Be sure your DD214 includes “Special Additional Information” section, Box #24.
- 2026-27 college financial aid award letter (preferred) or 2026-27 FAFSA Submission Summary.
- If applicant is the spouse or widowed person of a disabled veteran, provide VA disability letter and copy of marriage license.
Your application is not considered complete unless all required documents are submitted electronically.
