Student Emergency Funds
The Student Emergency Fund (SEF) supports currently enrolled Duke University students who are experiencing unexpected, unforeseen, and unavoidable financial emergencies. These situations are typically time-sensitive and arise from critical incidents such as accidents, illness, death of an immediate family member, property damage, or sudden housing instability.
SEF is intended to provide short-term, last-resort support after all other reasonable resources have been exhausted, including payment plans, financial aid options, family or personal support, and emergency loans.
- Funds do not need to be repaid
- Funds are not retroactive
- Funds do not reimburse expenses that have already been paid
- Funds do not replace or supplement financial aid
Should I Apply?
You should consider applying if:
- You are experiencing a sudden financial emergency caused by an unexpected event
- The expense is urgent and unavoidable
- You have explored other reasonable funding options, and they are insufficient or unavailable
If your financial concern is ongoing, anticipated, or not time-sensitive, the Student Emergency Fund may not be the best resource for you.
How Disbursement Works
If your request is approved, SEF provides assistance through:
- Direct payment to a vendor or service provider (e.g., airline, hotel, etc.)
- Partial or full payment toward an approved expense
SEF does not provide reimbursements for expenses that have already been paid.
The method of disbursement depends on the nature of the request, urgency, available documentation, and institutional constraints.
Examples of Expenses That May Be Covered
This list is not exhaustive. Students are encouraged to apply even if their situation is not listed below.
- Emergency travel related to the death or serious illness of an immediate family member
- Temporary housing needs due to fire, flooding, unsafe conditions, or emergency displacement
- Replacement of essential personal belongings due to theft, fire, or natural disaster
- Safety-related expenses, such as changing locks or securing housing
- Limited emergency food or basic living support directly tied to an emergency event
Expenses Not Covered
The following expenses are not eligible for support through SEF:
- Tuition, academic fees, health insurance, or study abroad costs
- Monthly rent, mortgage payments, or down payments
- Purchase of a vehicle (new or replacement)
- Regularly anticipated or ongoing expenses
- Parking tickets, fines, or legal fees
- Entertainment, recreation, or non-emergency travel
- Non-essential household items unrelated to damage, theft, or safety
Eligibility Requirements
To be considered for SEF support, applicants must:
- Be a currently enrolled Duke University student
- Be experiencing an immediate or time-sensitive financial hardship resulting from an emergency or unexpected critical incident
- Demonstrate that the expense is unexpected, urgent, and unavoidable
- Have exhausted or considered all other available resources, including emergency loans through Student Loans & Personal Loans
- Submit a complete application with required documentation
- Not have previously received SEF funding for the same or similar circumstances
Not an Emergency?
If your financial concern is ongoing or anticipated, you may be better supported by other campus resources:
- Student Loans & Personal Finance – assistance with managing expenses, planning payments, and exploring non-emergency options
- Basic Needs & Food Pantry Resources – ongoing food or essential living support
- Off-Campus and Community Life – guidance for non-emergency housing concerns or planning needs
Connecting with these resources may provide more sustainable support than the Student Emergency Fund.
Application & Review Process
Students needing emergency financial assistance may apply and submit supporting documentation through the Student Emergency Fund application.
- Applications are reviewed by a committee to determine eligibility and appropriate support
- Applicants may be required to meet with a DukeReach staff member to discuss their application
- Time-sensitive emergencies are prioritized
- Incomplete applications or missing documentation may delay review or result in denial
Application Link
If you are currently receiving financial aid, please be aware that receiving emergency funding may affect your future aid packages, and funds received will be taxed as income. For information on the application process, please contact DukeReach at 919-681-2455.
Giving
The number of students who can be served by the Student Emergency Fund is subject to the availability of funds. The fund must be sustained by continual contributions from alumni, parents, faculty, staff and friends of the University.