Tigers Helping Tigers makes it easy for students to apply for financial help by offering one common application for emergency assistance from various funding sources. While students may receive funds from one of a variety of funding sources, they are able to complete their application in one easy step!

Emergencies happen, and anyone can find themselves in need of urgent financial assistance at some point. At Sewanee, we care about each other and we want to help students facing an unexpected financial need. Tigers Helping Tigers serves to connect students with temporary, one-time financial support following an emergency, accident, or other unforeseen circumstance. The University has many additional resources outside of emergency funding for students. The Resources for Access, Equity, and Opportunity are listed here.

How does Tigers Helping Tigers work?

Tigers Helping Tigers provides assistance to currently enrolled students with an immediate financial need due to unforeseen or emergency circumstances. To apply for assistance, follow these steps:

  1. Complete an application. It should take no more than 10 minutes to complete. You will need to be ready to share information about yourself (Banner ID number, contact information, etc.), details about the emergency for which you are requesting support, and the amount of funding you will request.
  2. The Tigers Helping Tigers committee will review your application. Applications are reviewed on a weekly basis, and you should receive a response notifying you of the outcome of your application within 10 business days after submission.
  3. If you already have direct deposit set up with the University (e.g. due to a campus job), any approved funds will be transferred directly to your bank account. If you do not have direct deposit with the University, you will receive additional instructions for collecting a check made out to you for the approved funding amount.

In order to maximize the availability of funding to as many students as possible, the application review will consider any past funds issued and give priority to students who have not previously received any funding.

What is an emergency?

The funding made available via Tigers Helping Tigers is intended to assist students during unexpected, one-time crises or emergencies. It is meant to serve as a temporary means of helping a student and does not provide ongoing support. The following are expenses for which funding MAY be available:

  • Medical expenses (emergency medical care and/or medication)
  • Travel due to a family emergency
  • Replacement of essential personal belongings lost due to fire or natural disaster, etc.

The following are expenses for which funding will NOT be available: 

  • Tuition and fees
  • Regularly anticipated fixed expenses (e.g. rent, phone bill, etc.)
  • Parking tickets
  • Entertainment, recreation, non-emergency travel or other non-essential expenses

Where does the funding come from?

Sewanee Emergency Fund

The Sewanee Emergency Fund is a general fund for students who find themselves in need of emergency assistance (i.e., for  unexpected medical or dental costs, or help for transportation home when a personal or family emergency arises). This fund comes from the generosity of University donors, and all Sewanee students are eligible to receive assistance from the Sewanee Emergency Fund.

Rainbow Fund

The Rainbow Fund in Honor of Bishop V. Gene Robinson, C’69, was established in 2018 by alumnus James E. Gipson, C’66, for undergraduates “who accept human equality and are active members of the Gay Straight Alliance or its successor organization [e.g., Spectrum, Q&A House] and, in addition, LGBTQ+ programming at the University of the South.”

Douglas H. Hawkins Fund for Special Assistance for Posse Students

A fund to be used “for out of the ordinary or special needs” of Posse Scholars, which may include emergency travel, medical and dental needs, academic support, and other extraordinary expenses not regularly covered in the Posse Program.

Williamson International Fund

Established by Joan A. and Samuel R. Williamson in 2007, this fund supports undergraduate international students with expenses associated with medical needs, emergency travel funds and other needs considered appropriate by the Office of the Chaplain and the International Student & Scholar Advisor. For the purposes of this fund, an international student is defined as an F-1 degree-seeking undergraduate student in the College of Arts and Sciences.

Career Opportunity Fund

Career Readiness offers up to $1000 over four years for career or graduate school exploration (such as registering for a conference, buying professional attire, or test fees) for students with financial need.

Student Equity Support Fund

The Office of Inclusive Excellence manages funds for underrepresented and marginalized students for emergencies, travel, graduate program application fees, cost of living support, and other educational or programmatic needs.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is eligible to apply?

All currently enrolled Sewanee undergraduate students are eligible to apply, although some funding sources are reserved for particular populations of students per the gift agreements of donors.

Is there a limit to how much funding students can apply for?

While there is no set limit for each application, we trust that students will understand that the committee making decisions about funding will have to weigh each student’s overall financial need, the amount of funding available, and of course the student’s specific emergency situation.  Some of the funds carry a maximum award per student.

Is there a limit on how many times a student can apply for funding each year?

While there is no set limit on how many times a student can apply for funding, we trust that students will use discretion and understand that funds might not always be available for multiple requests/applications. Priority will be given to students who have not previously applied for and received funds.

Will receiving funds affect my financial aid?

It depends. Students who receive financial assistance from any of these funds are required to report the emergency funding as money paid on their behalf in subsequent FAFSA applications.

How will I receive the funds?

Students who have direct deposit set up with the University will have their funds sent directly to their bank account. Checks will be written to students without direct deposit, and they will be notified on how to collect the check. On some occasions, the University will pay for the item or service needed. This is determined based on the need and the requirements of the fund.

Who reviews the applications and makes decisions about funding?

A committee made up of faculty and staff (from the Dean of Students Office, Dean of the College, Office of Global Citizenship, and All Saints’ Chapel) works together to determine the distribution of funds. The committee keeps all student information private and confidential.

Can I use any funds to help with a family emergency?

It depends. The emergency financial assistance issued via Tigers Helping Tigers is available only to currently enrolled undergraduate students. Funding may be available to assist with your personal expenses related to the family emergency (e.g. unanticipated travel), but would not be available for a family member's expenses (e.g. medical care).

Can I apply on behalf of another student?

No. Students must submit their own application because of the information needed about their situation. However, if you have concerns about a student, you should refer them to the CARE Team who can assist them in navigating the situation.