Student Emergency Fund
The Student Emergency fund exists to provide financial support when a verified emergency has impacted a student's health, safety, or wellbeing. An emergency is an urgent, sudden, and serious event that necessitates immediate action to remedy harm to life, health, or property.
Types of verified emergencies that can be used to apply for the Student Emergency Fund:
- Medical treatments such as hospitalization,
- Utilities through the City of Austin,
- Medication/prescription expenses,
- Replacement of belongings lost in a fire or natural disaster,
- Safety-related needs (e.g., lock change, emergency shelter, etc.),
Student Emergency Fund cannot support with:
- Rent/Housing
- Budgeted/On-going expenses (car note, subscriptions, etc.)
- Technology needs
- Tuition
Eligibility Requirements
- Must provide documentation of recent, short-term emergency needs.
- Must be currently enrolled to apply and at the time of award distribution. Student Emergency Fund awards cannot be distributed after the last day of the semester or session.
- The final determination must be approved by the Office of Scholarships and Financial Aid.
Awards vary and are based on the availability of funds.
Process and Timeline
- Submit Student Emergency Fund Application including documentation of the emergency situation and resulting financial hardship (applications submitted without documentation cannot be approved).
- Verify direct deposit is active for non-payroll purposes with Student Accounts Receivable.
- Student Emergency Student staff will reach out to schedule a consultation with the applicant.
- During the consultation, staff will determine how funds may be used to address the emergency need.
- Staff will confirm with Financial Aid if emergency aid is available based on the cost of attendance.
- Final determination requests must be reviewed and approved by two Student Emergency Services director-level staff.
- Requests exceeding $750 require additional approval from the Deputy Dean of Students.
- Most applications are processed within two-three business days. However, if there are missing documents or additional approval is needed, processing can take up to a week.
- Once approved, funds are submitted to Student Accounts Receivable to post to the applicant's account. Funds normally post in one-two business days.
- Awards may be redirected to any financial bar on the account.
The application should include the following:
- Current bank statement
- Copy of "What I Owe" page
- Documentation of the recent emergency:
- Reduced hours at work documented on a pay stub
- Notice of loss of employment, student, or family member
- Permanent address located in the natural disaster area
- Police report regarding a safety concern and/or victim of a crime
- Copy of medical bill
- Statement of how the emergency has caused a financial hardship that has impacted their current academic semester
Student Emergency Services may also be able to provide support through UT Outpost services, Austin Energy Plus 1 Program grants, and facilitating requests to community resources. For technology support, please contact Texas One Stop to discuss financial options.
Reasons for a Declined Application
- The situation did not meet the criteria for current emergency causing financial hardship,
- Documentation was not submitted,
- The student is at cost of attendance and not currently eligible to receive Student Emergency Fund support.
Other Resources
- Office of Scholarships and Financial Aid – Apply for emergency loans
- Texas Global – Apply for emergency tuition and cash loans
- 2-1-1 Texas - A comprehensive list of financial and support services
The Student Emergency Fund is made possible through support from the Office of the President and the Vice President for Student Affairs, as well as the generous donations of Texas Parents, alumni, and the Austin Energy Plus 1 Program. Students, faculty, and staff also donate by participating in Party on the Plaza, 40 Hours for the Forty Acres, and the Hearts of Texas Campaign. Student groups donate to the fund, including Orange Jackets.