The Student Emergency Fund
The Student Emergency Fund provides limited emergency financial support to currently enrolled students who are unable to meet essential expenses due to a temporary or unexpected hardship.
Average award amounts range from $25 to $300 per student and are typically only awarded once. Decisions regarding disbursement of funds are made on a case-by-case basis. Awards are not considered loans and do not require repayment. Some funds may be considered income and are therefore subject to federal taxes.
Types of Expenses Considered
Examples of expenses that may be considered for funding include:
- Utilities
- Medication/prescription expenses
- Books or school related expenses
- Replacement of belongings lost in a fire or natural disaster
- Safety-related needs (e.g. lock change, emergency shelter)
Eligibility Requirements
Students seeking financial assistance should be currently enrolled and able to provide documentation of their financial hardship. Students seeking assistance during summer sessions and are not enrolled but are registered for fall courses may qualify for alternative forms of assistance.
Other Resources
- Office of Student Financial Services – Apply for emergency tuition and cash loans, http://finaid.utexas.edu/financialaid/resources/ut-loans.html
- International Office – Apply for emergency tuition and cash loans, https://world.utexas.edu/isss/students/financial-aid/loans
- 2-1-1 Texas - For a comprehensive list of financial and support services by county, http://www.211texas.org
The Student Emergency Fund is made possible through 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 and Challah for Hunger.