Staff Emergency Fund

Created to help members of the Aggie Family in need, the Staff Emergency Fund (SEF) provides limited financial assistance to staff members of Texas A&M University who are experiencing a temporary hardship due to a significant life event. The SEF is available for staff whose offices/departments report to the Office of the President at Texas A&M. If you are unsure of your eligibility and wish to check prior to application, please check with HR or your business administrator.

All donations are matched by the Office of the President so for every dollar you donate it is doubled!

The SEF is possible thanks to the support of the Texas A&M University President, the Texas A&M Foundation, the efforts of the Texas A&M University Staff Council, and generous donations.

Help us promote the fund by posting a SEF flyer in your department!

  1. Complete the pledge form and submit with a personal check
  2. Online through the Texas A&M Foundation website (minimum $25 donation)
  3. Automatic payroll deduction by enrolling in the Lead by Example campaign; use A&M Foundation code 996

The SEF is dependent upon donations to provide assistance. Your contribution is critical! We have all experienced an emergency expense that can create emotional and financial obstacles. The SEF endeavors to offer some financial assistance to help during such a difficult time. By supporting the SEF, you can help make a difference, when help is needed most.

All donations, large or small, can make a difference. Please consider a donation today.

All active, benefits eligible, non-faculty, University staff employees are eligible to apply if below criteria is met:

  • Applicant must have been employed with TAMU for a minimum of 12 continuous months, immediately preceding the date on the application.
  • Applicant must not have received a SEF grant within the past two years.
  • Applicant must not be an active member of the University Staff Council.
  • Applicant must demonstrate a temporary financial hardship.
    • A temporary hardship is one caused by a defined, time-limited, specific event including, but not limited to:
      • Death of an *immediate family member
      • Serious illness/critical injury related to:  Self or *immediate family member
  • Natural disaster (fire/flooding/tornado/hurricane, etc.) 

Emergency funding is not guaranteed and is based on demonstrated need, short-term nature of the financial hardship, committee approval, and available funds. The full amount requested may not be awarded and the maximum award per applicant, per distribution, is limited to $500.

*Immediate family members are defined as an employee’s spouse, or the employee’s or spouse’s child, stepchild, parent, stepparent, brother, stepbrother, sister, stepsister, grandparent, step grandparent, great grandparent, step great grandparent, grandchild, step grandchild, great grandchild or step great grandchild.

To apply for funds from the SEF, applicants must:

  • Complete and print the application, then sign and date to verify that the information is valid and accurate.

    Information provided by applicants will be treated as confidential and shared only with individuals directly involved in award administration.

  • Provide as much detail as possible when completing the application and provide supporting documentation for the financial hardship.

    Suggested documentation may include: death certificate, copy of invoice/bill/receipt, letter from a doctor on letterhead, police or fire report, or any other information the applicant believes may be necessary to thoroughly evaluate the request. Any information provided is voluntary, and the applicant releases the information for review by the SEF Committee.

  • Submit completed application and supporting documentation for the financial hardship by clicking the Application button below. Applications can also be submitted in the following ways:

    Email is not a secure delivery method; therefore, emailed applications will not be accepted.

  • Applicants may be contacted by the SEF Committee for additional information and/or missing documentation, which may delay approval of funding.
  • Applicants will be notified in writing of the SEF Committee's decision.
  • In almost all situations, applicants will be notified of the SEF Committee's decision within ten working days of receiving all necessary and required information.
  • If an application is funded, the employee will be sent a W-9 for completion to direct deposit the award. If the employee does not have a checking account, they still need to complete the W-9 and will be contacted when a check is available for pickup. A valid picture ID will be required at the time of pickup.