International Student Emergency Fund

This fund was established by UT Dallas alumni to support UT Dallas F-1 international students affected by COVID-19. Additional ongoing support is provided by the generous support of the UT Dallas community including students, faculty, staff and alumni communities.

Related Pages

The UT Dallas International Student Emergency Fund (UTDISEF) offers limited financial assistance to UT Dallas international students experiencing unforeseen and unexpected circumstances that require financial resources to solve and which, if not addressed, could prohibit the student from remaining enrolled and persisting toward graduation. The funds are not intended to supplement monthly or regular expenses.

Eligibility Criteria

To be eligible for UTDISEF grants, applicants must:

  • Be a UT Dallas international student, in a valid non-immigrant visa category or other non-US citizen status.
  • Be physically present in the United States.
  • Must be in good academic standing.
  • Be enrolled full time, or authorized by the ISSO for a reduced course load.
  • Complete all required application questions and submit supporting documentation, as required.
  • A student may only receive one UTDISEF grant per academic year, if approved.

Additional Guidelines:

  • First-year students are generally ineligible to apply, as they must demonstrate they have the necessary funds to support themselves for at least one academic year to receive their initial I-20.
  • Exception for First-Year Students: First-year students may be considered for funding only in cases of an unforeseen emergency, such as a medical crisis or an unexpected emergency in their home country. Documentation will be required to support the request.
  • Applications from students currently employed will be assessed on an individual basis. Preference will be given to students without current employment, as the primary aim is to assist those experiencing financial hardship without supplementary income sources.

Fund Amounts

Grants from the UT Dallas International Student Emergency Fund (UTDISEF) will vary based on the need and availability of funding, with expected awards to range between $200 – $1000. Grants will not exceed $1000.

The ability to award grants is based upon availability of funds. 

Fund Priorities

UTDISEF allocations will be made for the following needs:

  • USCIS application fees for critical immigration applications (economic hardship, extension of stay, temporary protected status)
  • Medical expenses such as hospitalization or medication expenses
  • Unexpected emergency travel
  • Unexpected housing expenses
  • Food insecurity
  • Loss of financial resources due to being a victim of crime (i.e., scam, theft, etc)

How to Apply

Email InternationalSuccess@utdallas.edu for application details and grant availability.

  1. Log into the iComet Portal using your NetID and password
  2. Select “International Student Grants” on the left menu
  3. Select “International Student Emergency Fund (UTDISEF) Grant Application”
  4. Fill out all required fields
  5. Click “submit” at the bottom of the form
  6. Watch your UT Dallas email address for a response within 10 business days