Student Emergency Fund
Student Emergency Funds
The Student Emergency Fund provides limited financial assistance to currently enrolled Xavier University students experiencing an unexpected financial hardship that affects their ability to meet immediate, essential expenses and fully participate in their academic experience. The fund is intended to help address short-term emergencies resulting from unforeseen circumstances and is not designed to replace, supplement, or serve as ongoing financial aid.
Awards are provided as grants and do not require repayment. Please note that grant funds may be considered taxable income and could be subject to federal and/or state tax regulations.
Types of expenses that may be covered:
The Student Emergency Fund may provide assistance for emergency expenses, including but not limited to:
- Rent or utility assistance due to an unexpected hardship
- Expenses related to a family illness, injury, or death
- Emergency or temporary housing needs
- Emergency transportation costs (e.g., car repairs, bus passes)
- Medications or emergency medical expenses not covered by insurance
- Replacement of essential personal belongings lost due to unforeseen circumstances
Types of expenses not covered:
The Student Emergency Fund does not cover routine, non-emergency, or discretionary expenses, including but not limited to:
- Entertainment, recreation, or non-emergency travel
- Lost student IDs, meal cards, or similar items
- Non-essential household items, furniture, or utilities not related to an emergency
- Routine or anticipated educational expenses, including tuition, fees, health insurance, and regular rent payments
- Routine vehicle maintenance and repairs resulting from normal wear and tear (e.g., oil changes, tires, brakes, or other expected maintenance)
- Penalties, fines, tickets, legal fees, or bail/bond costs
- Replacement of non-essential personal belongings lost or damaged due to fire, flood, theft, or other disasters
Please note that this list is not exhaustive, and all requests are reviewed on a case-by-case basis.
Eligibility Guidelines (all of the following must apply)
To be eligible for Student Emergency Fund assistance, applicants must meet all of the following criteria:
- Be a currently enrolled Xavier University student
- Be experiencing financial hardship due to an emergency, accident, or other unexpected critical incident
- Provide documentation supporting the financial need
- Demonstrate that other available resources have been explored and are unavailable or insufficient
- Priority consideration may be given to students who have not previously received Student Emergency Fund assistance
Application Process
Students seeking assistance must submit the online Student Emergency Fund application along with supporting documentation. Applications are reviewed by a committee to determine eligibility and available assistance.
If approved, students will be notified of the award amount and distribution process. Awards vary based on individual circumstances and typically do not exceed $1,000, though exceptions may be made depending on the nature and severity of the emergency.
Students must submit the online application and related documentation. A committee will review the application and determine if SEF can assist the student. If approved, students will be notified of the amount, and the money will be distributed. Award amounts may range and typically do not exceed $1,000, but may, in certain circumstances, based on the nature of the emergency.
To apply, complete the Xavier Student Emergency Fund Application. Please note that you must log in using your Xavier username and password to access the application.
Crises/Emergencies
If you are dealing with a crisis that requires an immediate response, contact Xavier Police at (513) 745-1000.
Giving to the fund
The number of students who can be served by the fund is subject to available resources. The fund must be sustained by contributions from alumni, parents, faculty, staff, and friends of the University. To donate to the fund, contact the Dean of Students office at 513-745-2994.
Questions
For additional information about the fund, contact the Dean of Students office at 513-745-2994.