Students enrolled in undergraduate, graduate and non-degree diploma programs are eligible. For the summer, students must be enrolled for summer or fall or be applying for spring semester expenses.

Examples of eligible situations include, but are not limited to: accident, natural disaster, major illness, theft, unavoidable student loss of income, emergency travel, fire damage, etc.

• Student is experiencing a financial hardship resulting from a short-term, one-time, emergency or catastrophic event that impedes their ability to remain at TCU.
• Students must complete at least one semester before becoming eligible.
• Students must be enrolled and attending classes full-time, as defined by their academic program.
• A recent meeting with a representative from The Office of Financial Aid and Scholarship to discuss this specific situation is required.
• The maximum amount available per student is $1000 per request.
• Requests  must be a minimum of 6 months apart.
• A maximum of 2 grants is allowed per student during all combined enrollments.
• Student must have completed the FAFSA for that academic year.
• Student must have exhausted all “self-help” options, especially through the Office of Financial Aid and Scholarship, including student loans, regardless of their desire to take out student loans.
• Applicants must provide sufficient documentation as requested.
• Funds may be counted as income and subject to federal taxes.
• All other summer applicants will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis.
• Applicants must be open to purchases being directly made on their behalf if feasible, community resources, social services and solutions such as food pantries or low cost grocery stores of which a list is available.

Example expenses that may be covered include, but are not limited to:

• Sudden, unavoidable loss of income affecting rent, housing, food or other necessary expenses (maximum 2 weeks student pay with pay stub. Only current income is eligible.)
• Other emergency or catastrophic situations (natural disaster, theft, medical emergency, etc) impacting rent, food or other necessary expenses
• Travel costs related to a sudden death or illness in the immediate family
• Safety related needs (i.e. changing a lock on vehicle or home)

• Any expenses, including medical, where a payment plan or deferred payment is possible
• Ongoing lack-of-resources situations that are best served through other solutions
• Interest fees or late fees
• Tuition, lab fees, health insurance, study abroad costs, application/test fees, sorority/fraternity fees
• Costs for entertainment, non-emergency travel, or other non-essential utilities/expenses
• Expenditures occurred due to lost wages due to short-term, non-critical illness
• Expenditures occurred as a result of poor financial management
• Replacement of non-essential computers or technology

Application is available here 

Fill out the online application below in full.  Incomplete applications cannot be reviewed.  If necessary, applicants will be contacted for further information.  The committee will typically communicate within five working days from the submission date of all materials, and students will be notified of the decisions by email. Please note that due to university business processes required to distribute funds to students through this unique process, it can take up to 2 weeks to receive funding.

• Computer Needs – Through TCU’s recycled computer program, desktops and laptops are often available for purchase at highly discounted rates (usually $175-$350). Read more here: https://it.tcu.edu/purchasing/used-computers/ and email (ITHardwareServices@tcu.edu) or call IT directly: 817-257-4357
• TCU Accounts – Students applying for funds to cover non-tuition based holds on their accounts can have their case reviewed by Financial Services on a case-by-case basis.  Please email the request to finserv@tcu.edu before applying.
• Town Talk Foods: This local grocery store sells foods at reduced costs to the general public. It is open from 9 AM-8 PM Monday through Friday. You will find fresh foods during their Saturday Market from 9 AM-5 PM. You can learn more here: https://towntalkfoods.com/ Town Talk Foods is located at 121 N Beach St, Fort Worth, TX 76111.
• 211 Texas United Way Helpline: If you have an in-state cell phone, you can simply dial 211. If you have an out of state cell phone, you will need to dial 877-541-7905. This service provided by United Way connects individuals with resources and support, including help with basic needs, including food resources available in the local area. They can address food needs during the semester and even during the summer months.
• List of resources across the Fort Worth area sorted by geographic location: https://cse.tcu.edu/nutrition/TCU-Food-Insecurity-Resource-List.pdf
• Search for programs by zip code to assist with food, housing, goods, transit, health, money, care, education, work, and legal services: www.findhelp.org

With oversight from the Student Success Center, the committee will consist of members at least including representation from the Dean of Students office, Scholarships and Financial Aid, TCU faculty, and Housing & Residence Life.