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 $500. 

Eligibility

TU Student Emergency Funds are only available during the fall and spring terms. They are intended as one-time use. Previous recipients are ineligible.

An applicant:

• Must demonstrate an immediate need due to a financial emergency or other unforeseen circumstance;
• Must provide evidence that all financial aid options have been exhausted;
• Must provide detailed expense breakdown with relevant documentation supporting the expenditure;
• May not have previously received emergency funding;
• Must be currently enrolled in a minimum of 6 credits at Towson University
• Only available during fall and spring terms

Timeline

• Applications are reviewed every seven to ten business days.
• Once your application has been reviewed you will be notified within 5 business days of the outcome via your TU email account. Disbursements are typically issued within seven to ten business days per banking processes.  

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:

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

Ineligible Expenses

INELIGIBLE EXPENSES include:

• tuition and fees
• parking tickets
• credit card debt
• student loans or any kind of loan debt
• 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 Student Support and Outreach team member will follow up with the applicant to discuss the need and offer referrals to additional services and resources, if applicable. All applicants must demonstrate an immediate need due to a financial emergency or other unforeseen circumstance, must provide evidence that all financial aid options have been exhausted, and must provide detailed expense breakdown with relevant documentation supporting the expenditure. Requests will be considered on an individual basis and total funds may be awarded in part or in full.