Faculty & Staff Emergency Fund

The fund was initially focused on financial emergencies related to coronavirus disruptions such as food, housing, reduction or loss of household income due to furloughs or layoffs, and/or unexpected emergencies compounded by the impact of the current public health emergency. The fund now continues to be available for emergencies and financial hardship resulting from any circumstances, and will be a resource once the current crisis has passed.

Individuals should apply for consideration for funding when they have exhausted all other resources, including but not limited to applying for available government programs for which you may be eligible, using personal credit, arranging payment plans, or other personal resources. This funding is not intended to pay regular monthly expenses or reimburse for expenses that have already been paid.

Managed by the TU Office of Human Resources, the Faculty and Staff Emergency Fund is supported entirely by donations from Towson University faculty, staff, alumni and retirees, as well as others who elect to assist TU employees experiencing financial hardship due to unexpected, unforeseen, or unavoidable circumstances.

About the Awards

Unexpected financial needs can put incredible hardship on TU faculty, staff, and contingent employees, and TU wants to live up to its goal of helping our faculty, staff and others in the TU community succeed.

The Faculty and Staff Emergency Fund provides an opportunity for our employees to navigate those challenges while continuing to excel in their roles at TU. Faculty and staff are essential to TU's success and to the success of each student.

Awards will be made on a case-by-case basis and are not intended to provide relief for an individual’s recurring expenses. The funds are not loans but awards which are not expected to be repaid. The amount of each award is in relation to individual needs. Funds granted are considered income and therefore subject to all applicable taxes. Awards are dependent on available funds.

Eligibility and Application Process

Applicants must submit a detailed application and meet the eligibility requirements. Each application is considered based on the individual’s unique circumstances. A member of the Human Resources team will follow up with the applicant as needed to discuss the funding request and obtain any additional information needed including appropriate documentation to verify the circumstances listed in the application.

• An applicant must be currently employed by Towson University as regular or contingent faculty/staff.
• Applicants must have exhausted other possible financial resources and must demonstrate an immediate need due to a financial emergency or other unforeseen circumstances.
• Appropriate documentation to verify the circumstances listed in the application is required, e.g. written notification of a job loss or pay reduction for anyone in the household; a current utility bill for a primary residence that indicates a scheduled shut-off; a notice related to eviction; a repossession notice for your primary vehicle.
• Individuals are eligible to apply for funds throughout the year and grant awards cannot exceed $1,000 in any 12-month period.
• Applicant’s financial need may not be a direct result of one’s own actions.
• Applicants must be in good standing with the university. Employees in good standing will have no discipline of any type in the past 12 months.

You will be notified by Human Resources staff of approval or denial within 3 business days after your completed application is received, including any requested documentation. If your application is approved, funds will be provided to faculty and staff in the next processed paycheck.

Eligible Expenses

Examples of potential eligible expenses that cannot be met by the applicant due to the emergency or unexpected circumstances and may be eligible for assistance are listed below. This is a representative and not an exhaustive list.

• Assistance with immediate and essential expenses – food, shelter, utilities
• Sudden and unexpected loss of primary mode of transportation.
• Significant and unexpected medical, mental health, dental or prescription costs not covered by insurance
• Significant and unexpected health care costs that must be paid upfront as a condition of receiving treatment.
• Unplanned or additional childcare costs when required to work during an emergency
• Unexpected and immediate costs to replace or repair non-working essential appliances, home heating/cooling, primary transportation, etc.
• Unexpected costs due to a death of a family or household member such as funeral costs

Ineligible Expenses

Here are examples of expenses that may not be eligible for assistance. This is a representative and not an exhaustive list.

• Credit card debt
• Non-essential utilities (cable)
• Recurring car loan, tuition, health club or similar regular payments
• Home improvements or pro-active replacement of appliances
• Home furnishings not related to damage or theft
• Entertainment, recreation or non-emergency travel
• Expenditures resulting from poor financial management

More Information

For more information, contact the Office of Human Resources at HRTU AT_TOWSON.