TU Student Emergency Funds

Students should apply for consideration for funding when they have exhausted all other resources, including but not limited to personal credit, payment plans, additional student aid, assistance from family and friends or other personal resources. This funding is not intended to reimburse for expenses that have already been paid or supplement existing financial aid.

Managed by the Office of the Vice President for Student Affairs, the Student Emergency Grant Fund is made possible by generous donors. It is intended to provide one-time, short-term relief for students experiencing immediate financial hardship.

About

The goal of the fund is to respond to an unexpected financial emergency from detrimentally affecting students’ academic progress toward their degree or to assist students during an immediate crisis. Emergency funds are awarded once, per academic year on a case-by-case basis and are not intended to provide relief for a student’s recurring expenses. Furthermore, the funds are not loans but awards which are not expected to be repaid back to the fund. The amount of each award is in relation to individual needs and in most cases does not exceed $1,000. 

Eligibility

An applicant must be:

• currently enrolled as a full-time student at Towson University
• have exhausted all other possible financial resources
• must demonstrate an immediate need due to a financial emergency or other unforeseen circumstance
• may not have received funds previously in the same academic year

Eligibility for applicants is also dependent upon having a financial need that will have a detrimental impact on academic progress (or the ability to remain enrolled). Applicant’s financial need may not be a direct result of the student’s actions.

What the Funds Can Be Used For

Eligible Expenses

ELIGIBLE EXPENSES include:

• medications and costs related to emergency medical care
• temporary housing
• safety needs
• emergency vehicle repairs
• replacement of essential belongings, due to fire, theft, or natural disaster
• travel costs related to the death or illness of an immediate family member

Ineligible Expenses

INELIGIBLE EXPENSES include:

• tuition and fees
• parking tickets
• credit card debt
• student loans or any kind of loan debt
• health insurance
• study abroad costs
• non-essential utilities (cable)
• home furnishings not related to damage or theft
• entertainment
• recreation
• non-emergency travel expenditures resulting from poor financial management

How to Apply

Applicants must submit a detailed application and meet the eligibility requirements. Each application is considered based on the applicant’s unique circumstances. A case manager will follow up with the applicant to discuss the need and offer referrals to additional services and resources, if applicable.