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:
Step 1: Meet with your Student Adviser or Chaplain
Before making an application, you must meet with your Student Adviser or Chaplain to discuss your circumstances. Your Student Adviser or Chaplain must verify your application and process it for consideration. Your application will not be considered until this has been done.
Step 2: Download and complete SEF Budget Page
Download SEF Budget page, complete it and save it to your own device. You will upload it to your online application before submission.
Step 3: Create your application and write your Personal Statement
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 following questions.
- Has something sudden and unexpected occurred
- What is the nature of the unexpected circumstances?
- When did it/they occur? Was it during the current academic year or did they predate it?
- What has been the financial impact of these circumstances?
- Financial Sustainability
- Did you have a sustainable financial plan in place until this happened? Can this plan be described?
- Please give details of how you have funded your studies to date. This may include SUSI grant, employment, family finical support etc.
- Please outline your family circumstances, paying particular attention to those which are relevant to this application.
- What other sources of financial support have you looked into? Why are they insufficient/inadequate?
- Level of Financial Assistance being sought
- How much money is being requested?
- What's the rationale for the amount being sought?
- How will any funding contribute towards your education?
- Have you previously applied to/received funding from the Emergency Fund, either this year or in previous years?
- If you have received Emergency Fund assistance in the past, what was the amount, and for what purpose was it awarded?
Step 4: Select Advocate and Upload Budget Page
Once you have completed your personal statement on the SEF application form on SISweb, you must select your Student Adviser/Chaplain as your advocate. You should also upload your completed budget page.
Step 5: Submit Application
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.