Applications are open for the Student Emergency Fund to provide financial assistance to students in need during the COVID-19 pandemic. The Student Emergency Fund allows for limited time-sensitive emergency funding for University of Tennessee, Knoxville, students experiencing financial hardship as a result of the pandemic.
The fund is administered through the Office of the Dean of Students and students can apply on the Dean of Students website. Applicants are asked a series of questions to indicate their areas of need, provide a summary of their request, and submit supporting documents if applicable. Requests are reviewed in a rolling application process, meaning they are reviewed continually throughout the spring.
To help ensure that the fund can assist as many students as possible, requests may be partially funded. The most a student can receive is $1,500 in an academic year.
Funds may be allocated to students to cover essential academic needs such as books, supplies, laptops, and hotspots. The fund may also be used for food, replacement of personal items, and emergency housing needs. To be eligible, students need to be enrolled in the 2020 spring semester as a part-time or full-time student. Spring and summer 2020 graduates are eligible.
Each student receiving funds will be required to meet with a representative from UT’s Center for Financial Wellness.
Students currently receiving financial aid should be aware that receiving funding from the Student Emergency Fund may affect their financial aid package. If the emergency funds will impact financial aid, recipients will be personally contacted to discuss their options before any funds are awarded. For information on the impact to financial aid, call One Stop at 865-974-1111.
The Student Emergency Fund is supported through VOLstarter, the university’s crowdfunding platform. To donate to the fund, visit the Student Emergency Fund VOLstarter fundraising page.
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CONTACT
Maddie Stephens (865-974-3993, msteph44@utk.edu)