The purpose of this discretionary fund is to offer financial assistance to students who encounter acute and unexpected difficulties during their time of study in UCD. Illnesses, bereavement and sudden unemployment are some of the issues which may make you eligible for support from the Student Emergency Fund.
To make an application to the Emergency Fund, you must clearly demonstrate the acute and unexpected aspect of your circumstances. Ongoing low income does not, in and of itself, qualify you for Emergency Fund Assistance. Student Emergency Fund applications are considered by a committee which meets regularly throughout the academic year.
Who can apply?
You must be registered to a UCD programme of at least one year’s duration and which leads to either an undergraduate or postgraduate qualification.
HEAR students should contact Access & Lifelong Learning if they are experiencing financial difficulty. Access & Lifelong Learning staff can discuss the financial supports available to HEAR students.
Undergraduate applications to the SEF are not normally considered outside of term time. Applications from postgraduate students who are registered for a Summer trimester and who meet the criteria for the SEF are considered.
How do I apply?
To make an application, follow these steps:
- Before making an application, you must meet with your Student Adviser or Chaplain. To verify your application, they will confirm that you have met with them. Your application will not be considered until this has been done.
- Download SEF Budget page, complete it and save it to your own machine. You will upload it to your online application before submission.
- Go to your SISweb > Programme Services > Welfare and Assistance > Emergency Fund Application > Click to make Emergency Fund Application
- Complete your personal statement, giving details of why you require assistance from the UCD Student Emergency Fund. This statement forms a crucial part of your application so you should take some time to complete it, answering the questions asked. Please include details of the unexpected circumstances which lead you to make an application. It should also include details of your family circumstances, any financial support you receive from your family/guardian/partner, other siblings in education, current living arrangements, details of part time employment and any other information you consider relevant to your application.
- Complete the online application form on SISweb. You should select your Student Adviser/Chaplain as your advocate at this point. You should also upload your saved budget page.
- Print the application form if possible. The printed form is used for reference.
- Submit the application electronically by clicking the “Submit” button.
- Notify your Student Adviser that you have submitted your application. They will then review it and, if appropriate, forward it to the committee for consideration.
Please note:
- The UCD Student Emergency Fund is open to applications from all UCD students registered to a full-time course of at least one year in duration.
- The monies in the fund are available for students who, as a result of unforeseen circumstances, find themselves in financial difficulty.
- The Committee meets approximately every two weeks during term time. Undergraduate applications are not normally considered outside of term time. Whilst there are no scheduled meetings, applications from postgraduate students who are registered for a Summer trimester and who meet the criteria for the SEF are considered.
- The Student Emergency Fund Committee may occasionally ask to see receipts that relate to your application so if you have any you believe will support your application please keep them in case they are requested.