Student Emergency and Equity Fund Campaign

Here, another student shares the impact SEEF has had on their Trinity experience:

"Unexpected costs as a student might easily derail your plans. It could be something minor, like your laptop breaking down unexpectedly, or it could be something big, like a family emergency. But what if you simply lack the resources to deal with these emergencies? This was the situation I was in up until I learned about the Student Emergency and Equity Fund. For myself and many other students who encountered unexpected financial difficulties throughout our academic year, the fund has proven to be a lifesaver.

One time, I had to take a flight out of the country to finally meet my family after a very long separation. I didn't have enough money to pay for the flight. I contacted the fund administrator, and with their help, I was able to cover the costs so I could go see my family. I also used SEEF when a medical procedure left me with a hefty bill. I simply couldn't afford it on my own, and I started to feel overwhelmed by the costs. Luckily, SEEF came to my rescue. The fund gave me the assistance I required at a time when I was feeling helpless and alone.

The emergency fund is indicative of our College's commitment to putting students' needs first and making sure they have what they need to succeed. It demonstrates that the College cares for its community members in ways other than academic pursuits. Life can present students with unforeseen challenges at any time. Having a safety net to fall back on is crucial in the event of an unexpected family emergency, sudden illness, or unexpected laptop repair.

I’m extremely grateful for the support I received from SEEF. It helped me navigate a difficult situation with ease and gave me the peace of mind to focus on my studies without worrying about how I’d pay my medical bills or flight tickets."

No one can better explain the importance of the Student Emergency and Equity Fund than those who have benefitted from it. Below, an international student shares their experience with SEEF:

“When I first began packing my bags for America, I asked my mom if I should bring my winter jacket. Her response was both humorous and bewildering: ‘No, it's warm in America, you won't need it.’ I later found out that she had been watching YouTube videos about Miami and Florida, and had assumed that all parts of the US were as warm as those states. It was a funny moment, and one that I won't soon forget. Of course, I quickly realized that America's winter weather was no joke, and I found myself shivering without the proper clothes. Thankfully, the Student Emergency and Equity Fund provided me with the warm clothes I needed to survive the cold. 

SEEF has helped me on other occasions by helping me attend an international relations conference in Russia and by providing me with a new MacBook. Thanks to SEEF, I am better equipped than ever to pursue my academic and professional goals. 

I am so grateful for the support of the fund, which has made such a difference in my life. Looking back on my experience, I can't help but laugh at my mom's assumption about America's weather. But I also recognize that her response underscores a larger point about the value of support networks. Without SEEF, I would not have been able to thrive in America, no matter how warm or cold the weather.”

What if you have the opportunity of a lifetime, but encounter obstacles you didn’t expect? That’s what happened to me when I was accepted to study away at the Trinity/La MaMa Performing Arts Program in New York City. This one-of-a-kind program enrolls only six to twelve students a semester and last fall, I was one of them.

However, I encountered a rude awakening in the food prices in NYC and found myself struggling to sustain myself nutritionally (there is no meal plan for the program). That’s where Trinity and the Student Emergency and Equity Fund (SEEF) played a vital role for me. I applied to SEEF and received the funds I needed to afford my own food as I balanced a busy schedule.

This was not the first time I had received funds from SEEF and I’m extremely glad the fund exists to support students like me. It has allowed me to take advantage of opportunities and provide for my well-being, while I learn to construct my own adulthood.

With Trinity pride,

Cassidy Willie-Lawes ’24