Originally created to help members of the Prairie View A & M University (PVAMU) family in need due to the February 2021 winter storm, the Faculty & Staff Emergency Fund (FSEF) provides limited financial assistance (up to $500) to benefits-eligible faculty and staff members experiencing financial hardship. Requests for an FSEF award can be made for other types of temporary hardships due to a significant life event. The FSEF is available for PVAMU faculty and staff under the Office of the President. If you are unsure of your eligibility and wish to check prior to application, please contact Human Resources or your business administrator.
The FSEF is possible thanks to the generosity and support of the University President, Dr. Ruth Simmons.
How the Faculty and Staff Emergency Fund can help
We have all experienced an emergency expense that can create emotional and financial obstacles. The FSEF endeavors to offer some financial assistance to help during this time.
Eligibility Criteria
To be eligible for assistance, all applicants must meet the following requirements:
- Applicant refers to the individual seeking assistance for their financial hardship. An application may not be submitted on behalf of someone else, regardless of the circumstances.
- Applicant must be in an active, benefit- eligible, faculty or staff member.
- Applicant must have experienced financial hardship because of an emergency or significant event.
- Applicant must not be an active member of FSEF Committee.
- An employee is only eligible to be approved for an FSEF award once within a rolling year, i.e., if an employee receives an FSEF award they will not be eligible to apply and receive another award until 12 months after their award date.
Documentation supporting the financial hardship is required for every application. Additional information or explanation may be requested for applications submitted without supporting documentation.
Emergency funding is not guaranteed and is based on demonstrated need, committee approval, and available funds.
Given the limited amount of funds, not all requests can be approved even though there may be a clear need for assistance.
Application Procedures
To apply for funds from the FSEF, applicants must:
- Complete the application. All information provided should be valid and accurate.
- Information provided by applicants will be treated as confidential and shared only with individuals directly involved in award administration.
- Provide as much detail as possible when completing the application and submit supporting documentation for the financial hardship.
- Suggested documentation may include: death certificate, copy of invoice/bill/receipt, letter from a doctor on letterhead, police or fire report, or any other information the applicant believes may be necessary to thoroughly evaluate the request. Any information provided is voluntary, and the applicant releases the information for review by the FSEF Committee. It is understood that due the nature of the hardship, documentation may not be available. If the application does not include supporting documentation, the committee may contact the applicant to request additional details regarding the need.
- Submit completed application and supporting documentation for the financial hardship by clicking the Application button below.
- Applicants may be contacted by the FSEF Committee for additional information and/or missing documentation, which may delay approval of funding.
- Applicants will be notified by email of the FSEF Committee’s decision.
- The FSEF Committee is committed to ensuring an expeditious review process, so the needed funds can be distributed as quickly as possible.
- If the application is funded, the applicant will be directed to complete additional information.