The SAU Foundation’s Student Emergency Funding offers short-term help to SAU students facing an unexpected financial emergency. It is not a replacement for financial aid, tuition assistance or your regular financial resources.
Funding is limited and not guaranteed. Awards are based on demonstrated need, how urgent the situation is, other resources available to you, available Foundation funds and the program’s criteria.
What may qualify
Emergency funding may be considered for situations that are:
- Unexpected, and not something you could reasonably have planned for
- Outside of your control
- Serious enough to cause a temporary financial hardship
- Tied to an immediate need that could affect your ability to continue your education, or that threatens your basic needs, safety or well-being
Examples that may qualify
- Emergency housing
- Food, utilities and other essential needs caused by an unexpected hardship
- Emergency transportation
- Medical and dental emergencies
- Emergency childcare
- Fire, theft, natural disaster or other loss
- Death or serious injury of an immediate family member
- Fleeing domestic violence or other personal safety emergencies
- Unexpected loss of income
- Essential academic needs caused by an emergency
- Other extraordinary circumstances
These examples are not a complete list. The Southern Arkansas University Foundation decides whether a situation counts as a qualifying emergency.
What emergency funding can't cover
Emergency funding is not meant for routine or expected costs. It can’t be used for:
- Tuition, fees or standard University charges
- Textbooks or other expected course materials
- Regular rent, mortgage or utility payments
- Routine vehicle expenses
- Credit card payments
- Student loan payments
- Fines, tickets, court costs, legal penalties, late fees or disciplinary charges
- Entertainment or recreation
- Nonessential electronics or upgrades
- Alcohol, tobacco or nicotine products, controlled substances or related purchases
- Sorority or fraternity dues, organization fees or social-event costs
- Routine childcare
- Costs already fully covered by insurance, financial aid, another University program, another charity or any other source
- Costs incurred by someone other than the student
- Requests without enough information or documentation to show an emergency or need
- Requests for unrestricted cash
Before you apply, we encourage you to use financial aid, payment plans and the campus and community resources listed below.
How to apply
Complete the application below. Please give enough detail and supporting documents for us to review your request. You’ll be asked for:
- A description of your emergency or circumstances
- The amount of help you are requesting
- How the situation has created a financial hardship and could affect your ability to succeed in school
- Documents that support your request, such as a bill, letter of support or doctor's note
- Other resources or help you have looked into
Submitting an application does not guarantee that funding will be awarded.
After you apply
How requests are reviewed
The SAU Foundation may:
- Approve or deny any request
- Approve less than the amount requested
- Ask for more information or documentation
- Decide how payment is made
- Set reasonable limits on how much help, and how often, one student can receive
All emergency funding decisions are made at the sole discretion of the Southern Arkansas University Foundation and are final. Funding is limited and is not an entitlement or a guaranteed source of financial help.
Your responsibilities
You are responsible for giving complete and accurate information in your application. False, misleading or incomplete information may lead to your request being denied, or to your having to return funds you were awarded.
We also encourage you to work with the right University offices and campus or community resources to address ongoing financial needs.
How approved funds are used
Approved funds must be used for the emergency expense described in your application. The Foundation decides the best way to fill an approved request, which may include paying a vendor directly, crediting your university account or paying you.
The Foundation may ask for documentation showing the funds were used for their approved purpose.
Follow-up and thank-you letter
As a condition of receiving emergency funding, the Foundation may ask you to write a thank-you letter to the Southern Arkansas University Foundation Board of Governors.
You may also be asked for a short follow-up describing how the funding helped you and how it affected your ability to continue your education at SAU.
The Foundation may use these materials for donor stewardship, program evaluation and reporting, while respecting your privacy and confidentiality.
Funding limits
Emergency funding depends on the Foundation resources set aside for this purpose. The Foundation may set yearly or per-student limits, and may pause or end the program when available funds run out.
Receiving emergency funding in the past does not guarantee funding for a future request.
More help on campus and nearby
Emergency funding may not solve every challenge you’re facing. These SAU offices can help with both immediate and ongoing needs.
Financial Aid
Questions about grants, loans and scholarships.
Student Accounts
Help with your student account and payment plans from Financial Services.
Mulerider Market
Food, hygiene products and school supplies for students.
Mulerider Express
Rides to nearby Magnolia stores and services.
University Housing
Help with housing on campus.
Counseling Center
Confidential counseling and student support.
Disability Support Services
Accommodations and support for students with disabilities.
University Health Services
Health care for students on campus.
Community help
Local nonprofits, faith-based organizations, food pantries, utility assistance programs, housing resources and other community agencies may also be able to help.
Compassion’s Foundation, Inc. is a local nonprofit that provides shelter, support and resources for survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault and human trafficking.
Crisis support, 24/7
Call or text 988, or chat with the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, to reach a counselor 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year.
If you are in immediate danger, call 911.
The Foundation may refer you to another University or community resource if it is better suited to your need. A referral does not guarantee that help will be available or that you will qualify.
Questions about emergency funding?
We encourage you to reach out as early as possible. The SAU Foundation team is glad to help you find the support you need.