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.

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

To be eligible for UTDISEF grants, applicants must:

  • Be a UT Dallas international student, in any non-immigrant visa category or other non-US citizen status.
  • Be physically in the United States.
  • 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.
  • Receive ISSO advising regarding the financial hardship. After submission of the UTDISEF grant application, ISSO staff will reach out to you to schedule a consultation to discuss any other available resources.

A student may only receive one UTDISEF grant per semester, if approved.

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

Application is Currently Closed

Applications for the International Student Emergency Fund are closed due to lack of funds. We will reopen the application as funds become available.


  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