Aid Information
and Application

At Fast Fund at MATC, we believe that every MATC student deserves the chance to succeed. Our aid application process is designed to be quick and straightforward, ensuring that students receive the financial support they need when they need it most. By filling out a simple application, you can access emergency funds to help cover unexpected expenses. Let us help you stay focused on your education without the burden of financial worries.

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Fast Fund is not supported by nor affiliated with Milwaukee Area Technical College (MATC). Fast Fund is an independent 501(c)3 run by faculty at the college to support MATC students.

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Before You Apply

We are a small, faculty-run non-profit. We work closely with MATC to assist students, ensuring that our support reaches those who need it but we are not apart of MATC. By submitting an application, we can determine emergency funds to cover unexpected expenses, allowing you to focus on your education without financial stress.

Fast Fund provides emergency financial assistance to current or returning MATC students facing urgent financial needs, meaning you must be actively enrolled as a student at Milwaukee Area Technical College. While there are no strict GPA requirements or minimum semester completions needed, preference is typically given to first-time applicants. The fund aims to address a wide range of emergency expenses, including but not limited to rent, groceries, textbooks, and transportation costs.

Directions, extra information, and examples of what we need can be found lower on this page.

Applying

You can find our application

for emergency grants here:

Grant Application

After You Apply

Application Review

Once you've submitted your application, the next step is to wait for a reviewer to contact you. Please keep a close eye on both your email and/or cell phone, as a reviewer may reach out within 48 to 72 hours to discuss your application further. They may need additional information to determine your eligibility for assistance, so it's important to be responsive to any communication from the review team. Prompt responses help ensure that you receive the support you need as quickly as possible.

Approval Or Denial Of Funds

If you're Struggling with Downloading your Transcripts or Schedule:

Please follow the directions in this link for how to download the schedule and the transcripts. If you want a step by step you can find a list at this link to see a step by step presentation.

If your application is approved:

Congratulations! Your Fast Fund application has been approved. We understand the urgency of your situation and aim to provide assistance as quickly as possible. There are three possible ways you can receive your funds:

Online portal payment: You can visit our office, and we can process the payment through an online portal using your smartphone or laptop.
Personal bank check: We'll need your proper name for the check to be made out to. You can pick up the check from our downtown office.
Cashier's check: This is a last resort if no other payment methods are available. We require a day's notice to secure this option.

Please note that it's your responsibility to collect the funds or complete the payment process. We'll provide you with specific instructions based on your chosen method.

If your application is denied:

Due to limited resources, we cannot approve every application and reserve the right to deny any applicants for any reason. While we strive to prioritize those in the most urgent need, a denial does not diminish the importance of your circumstances or challenges.

If you believe your application was wrongly denied, we encourage you to advocate for yourself. Please contact Fast Fund to discuss your situation further. We value open communication and remain dedicated to helping applicants explore alternative resources and solutions.

Even if direct financial assistance is not possible at this time, we can still provide guidance on other programs or organizations that may be able to help. Your education and well-being matter, and we are here to support you in navigating other potential avenues of assistance.

Your Application's Process

You can check your application stage at any time through the application portal. If your schedule, transcripts, and/or bills aren't in the proper formatting then you will be sent an email.

Application Stage: This stage means you are still working on your application. If you are done with it and its still in this stage, click the "submit" button - it happens more often than we'd like to admit.

Additional Info: We need clarification or one or more of the documents aren't correct, showing up blurry, or some other reason - Keep an eye on your email. Most of our delays happen to be due to this step.

Initial Review: tends to be our staff determining what you need, how to help, and write up a short report. If you are missing anything or we need clarification, you will be reached out to or put back in Additional Information.

Final Review: The final decision and communication process. Accepted or denied.

Testimonial: The FAST Fund is ran using grants and donations - Our donors love hearing how their donations benefit you, the students. We may request a testimony or you can send one in yourself on the Testimonials tab - here.

Warning - We are mostly staffed by volunteers and a few dedicated staff. If you are rude or abusive towards our staff, we reserve the right to deny all current and future help.

Aid Information and Application