When a loved one back home is hospitalized, if a student loses his or her job or if there is a death in the family it can be especially difficult to continue financially.But these ones in need can now turn to TCU for the extra money to fly home or cover that month’s rent because an anonymous donor has provided money to restart the student emergency fund, said Angela Kaufman, university minister.

After the recent hurricanes the donor saw some students struggling and wanted to help by donating $50,000 to restart the “frog family crisis fund,” Kaufman said.

The fund is dedicated to helping students that need money quickly in the event of a catastrophic crisis, Kaufman said.

The committee that oversees the distribution of the fund is made up of at least six members. Two are faculty members and the other members must consist of at least one representative from campus life, one from financial aid and one from university ministries, said Tracy Tucker, assistant dean of campus life.

Up to $750 is available within 72 to 96 hours, but if the request is immediate, urgent and clear, a majority of the committee could be assembled and approve it within 24 hours, Kaufman said.

Students are allowed to apply for up to $750 twice in their tenure as a student but the requests must be at least six months apart, Kaufman said.

Some of the general things covered by the fund will be temporary housing, medicine, food, books, transportation, necessary belongings, repairs, class related expenses and safety costs.

However, it does not cover tuition, study abroad, health insurance in general or luxuries, Kaufman said.

“But there is a difference between needing money for the electric bill and needing money for the cable bill,” Kaufman said.

Every case is unique and will be considered individually by the committee, Kaufman said.

The fund was started in 1989 with donations from all over campus for students who had a last minute catastrophic event that led them to need a small amount of money quickly, Kaufman said.

However, the fund was depleted over the years until eventually it was non-functioning, Kaufman said.

Susan Adams, dean of campus life, said she was glad to have the fund back.

“It is very important to be able to help a student who finds themselves in a bad situation,” Adams said.