Apply for Student Emergency Fund (SEF)

When our students are in need, Mines is here for them. We call it living our Oredigger values. To help students who are facing unprecedented circumstances, Mines created the Student Emergency Fund (SEF) in 2017. The SEF is fund set aside to provide financial resources to Orediggers facing difficult circumstances like the loss of a family member, natural disasters, unhealthy living situations, food insecurity, or other emergency situations. The SEF has been used to provide:

  • Just-in-time relief for Mines to respond to low-resource students who are greatly impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, including lost wages, travel, food or housing needs
  • Improved or replaced technology
  • Funding for clothing, school supplies or computers for students who lost housing to a fire, flood, natural disaster or other emergency.
  • Grocery money or a meal plan for a student who is struggling to pay for basic needs.
  • Travel expenses so a student can attend a family member’s funeral or assist their family during a time of need.
  • Rent or living expenses to make a transition or move out of an unhealthy living situation.
  • Counseling services to resolve issues from a traumatic life event.

The SEF Committee meets on the first Tuesday of each month to review requests and select recipients. A member of the committee will be in touch with you following the meeting to let you know the status of your request.

The meetings for Spring 2025 will occur on February 4, March 4, and April 1, and May 6(or until all funds have been distributed).  

Criteria

Students may request up to $3000 in emergency funds, however, the average award is $1500. The following criteria will be considered to make a determination:

  • Previous applications for the SEF
  • Financial Aid package 
  • Current finances 
  • Connection to other resources at Mines or in the community

Award Rubric

The SEF Committee uses the following factors in the decision to award to students: 

  • Emergency/Crisis
  • Severity
  • Timing
  • Need
  • Impact

Award of Funds

Once the Student Emergency Fund Committee has determined the award a student will receive, the student will receive an email notifying them of the award. The funds will be deposited directly to the student’s account.

Contact Us

Email: care@mines.edu