Emergency Assistance for Postsecondary Students (EAPS) Grant Program

Improving college retention and completion for students experiencing food/housing insecurity or an unforeseen financial emergency

The Office of Higher Education administers the Emergency Assistance for Postsecondary Students (EAPS) Grant Program to foster postsecondary attendance and retention for low-income students by providing funding and resources to Minnesota colleges and universities with a demonstrable homeless population. Grant funds are intended to meet immediate student needs related to housing, food, and transportation that would otherwise prevent students from completing their term.

Funding Source

The Minnesota Legislature established the EAPS Grant Program in May 2017. The 2017 Legislature provided $175,000 each year of the 2018-2019 biennium to support the grant program.

Criteria

Minnesota postsecondary institutions with a demonstrable homeless student-population may apply for EAPS Grant funding.

Fiscal Year 2020 Grant Recipients

• Minnesota State Community and Technical College (M State), M State Emergency Needs Fund
• Saint Paul College, Emergency Funds for Student Success
• Red Lake Nation College, Oshki Manidoo Emergency Aid Program: Emergency Assistance for Red Lake Nation College Students
• St. Catherine University, Katies Emergency Help
• Century College, Emergency Assistance for Postsecondary Students Program
• Pine Technical and Community College, Pine Technical and Community College Emergency Student Support
• Normandale Community College, Normandale Cares Student Emergency Assistance Program
• South Central College, South Central LifeSaver Program
• Minnesota State University, Mankato, Emergency Grant
• Metropolitan State University, METRO STATE SUPPORTS
• Central Lakes College, Students Support Fund (SSF) Program
• St. Cloud Technical and Community College, Helping Overcome Barriers to Promote Excellence (HOPE) Grant
• St. Cloud State University, SUSTAIN: Supporting University Students to Alleviate Insecurity Now
• Minneapolis Community and Technical College, Assistance to Achieve Grant

Contact

If you have questions or would like additional information on the Emergency Assistance for Postsecondary Students Grant Program, contact Alaina DeSalvo by email at Alaina.DeSalvo@state.mn.us or (651) 259-3988.

For Students:

Students in need of emergency assistance should contact the financial aid office at their college or university. For additional resources, see our Student Homelessness in Higher Education webpage.

Reports

• 2020 Emergency Assistance for Postsecondary Students Grant Program Report