Administration of Financial Aid
Often in life, we find ourselves facing difficult financial challenges brought about by job loss, disability, illness, or other misfortune. At FISH we do offer some limited assistance to our Pennridge neighbors that can help ease financial burdens one might be encountering. This program is funded entirely by the generosity of those in the community who donate to FISH and is, therefore, limited. Thank you for your understanding.
Click on the FINANCIAL AID APPLICATION link to download a pdf form for printing on your computer. You must meet with a financial aid officer prior to being considered for financial assistance. Proper identification, including photo ID and last four digits of your SS#, is required for financial assistance. A current bill must also be presented during your office visit. Come to the office prepared for best results.
All financial aid appointments are walk-in only.
PURPOSE
Financial Aid is intended to be a ONE TIME Emergency Help or BRIDGE to residents in the Pennridge Community. The intent is to help residents with emergency help until they find alternative sources.
The Financial Aid is limited to help with:
SECURITY DEPOSITS
and
UTILITIES:
- Electric
- Gas
- Heating Oil
- Water & Sewer
- Consideration will be given where the rent includes electric utilities. (This includes rooming houses.)
FUNDING
The budget/funds for these services come from the generosity of the people (businesses, churches, individuals and social/fraternal organizations) in the Pennridge Community.
No funding for financial assistance comes from Government sources.
The funding is limited; therefore the amount of aid is limited.
CLIENTS
Clients must be residents of the Pennridge community as defined by the boundaries of the Pennridge School District.
If you have previously received financial assistance, you may no longer be eligible.
However, a second payment will be considered if the primary client completes a Path to Financial Independence course as noted below. This course must be completed after previous payment from FISH.
A certificate of completion must be presented to an financial aid officer at FISH.
PATHS TO FINANCIAL INDEPENDENCE
Completing and passing GED
Completing a vocational training program
Completing an Associate’s degree
Attaining a college degree
Completing BCOC
Economic Self-Sufficiency Program
Complete Credit Counseling by Certified Credit Counseling Center
Complete Career/Path training at BCOC
Completing Parent training at Crossroad Pregnancy Care
Be certified substance abuse free for one year, by Penn Foundation or similar agency.
Other similar approved paths to Financial Independence that are completed.
OTHER HINTS AND TIPS:
- When you meet with a financial aid officer at FISH, please try to be understanding. We receive hundreds of requests for help and it can be overwhelming for the volunteers who are meeting with you, just as it is overwhelming for you to have to ask for help.
- Please come prepared. Make sure you have your current bill, and all identification with you when you meet with our financial aid volunteers.
- Understand that funding is limited - FISH is not a public welfare office and we do not have paid social workers on staff. All financial aid funds come from donations we receive from people in our community. We need to be good stewards of those limited funds and, therefore, we cannot honor every single request we receive for financial help.
- Please see rules above for what we can and cannot assist with.
- FISH is staffed almost entirely by volunteers. We have only one part time operations director as paid staff. Please be considerate of this fact. We cannot "do it all". :^)
- AND LAST - Thank you for trusting us to try to help you and your family! It is a blessing to serve the community in this way. We really do try our best and we really do care.