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

The fund cannot support any expenses where a payment plan or deferred payment is possible.  Other expenses not covered include:

• Tuition, lab fees, health insurance, study abroad costs, application/test fees
• Expenditures occurred due to lost wages due to short-term, non-critical illness or accrued as a result of poor financial management
• Nonessential travel or travel relating to the packing up of personal belongings.
• Situations where a student is does not desire student loans.
• Expenses that do not directly support the student and their ability to remain at TCU.

The maximum award is currently $1000.

All financial aid options including student loans must be exhausted before receiving emergency funds. A recent meeting with a financial aid advisor is also required and must cover long-term options for financial challenges.

• Federal Work Study – Since students with federal work study and some graduate assistantships will continued to receive payments, loss of income for those positions do not qualify.
• Loss of Income – Maximum grant awards for loss of income are two weeks of student pay. Proof of income (paycheck or contract for the self-employed) is required. Only current income loss can be funded, not future or summer.
• 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.

• A financial hardship resulting from an emergency or catastrophic event.
• The maximum amount available per student is $1000 per request.
• Requests for emergency assistance must be limited to a minimum of six months apart.

• All other sources of aid must be exhausted first, including student loans, payment plans, federal & community resources.
• Applicants must provide sufficient documentation as requested.
• Student must have completed the FAFSA for that academic year.
• Funds may be counted as income and subject to federal taxes.

• Students must be enrolled and attending classes full-time, as defined by their academic program.
• All other summer applicants will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis.
• Students must complete at least one semester before becoming eligible.
• A maximum of two grants is allowed per student during all combined enrollments.

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
• 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.
• 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

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. In some cases, funds will be applied directly to the approved bills.  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.

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.

An online application is available here