Student Emergency Fund
Unexpected events that cause significant financial difficulties, such as personal hardship (e.g. illness or injury), natural disaster (e.g. drought or bushfire) or a global crisis are experienced by many of our students.
Since the first Student Emergency Fund grant was distributed in 2021 more than $200,000 has been granted to our students in crisis. However, we have received more requests in 2024 than at the same time in the previous three years.
The Student Emergency Fund of the University of Adelaide is 100% funded by philanthropic gifts and to meet the growing needs of students in crisis we need your help today.
- The number of students requesting support each month is rising, with an all-time record number of requests received in a single month occurring in July 2024.
- More than 200 students have been supported since 2021.
- The average grant distributed in 2023 was $939.
You gift today will have a direct impact on the lives of our students by providing support for their critical needs including rent, food, medications and textbooks during their time of hardship. Your donation will be applied towards the Student Emergency Fund at the University of Adelaide.
Matched Giving
The University of Adelaide is matching donations to the Student Emergency Fund received on or before 5 September 2024 up to $10,000.
Makie's story
Makie, a Bachelor of Veterinary Bioscience student, faced a significant blow to her health and savings when she was kicked by a horse at work last October.
Airlifted to hospital Makie describes her diagnosis as “lucky” when the doctors confirmed she had received a few lacerations to her liver and kidney and would need 12 weeks off work to heal and recover.
“A kick from a horse can shatter bones or even be fatal, so I was very lucky to sustain only a few organ lacerations. It could have been a lot worse,” Makie said.
A self-funded student, Makie works part time as a trackwork rider with racehorses to pay her tuition fees, rent and cover daily expenses.
“After the accident I was able to continue with my studies but I wasn’t able to work. It was a really stressful time not knowing how I would cover my rent and groceries. There was a real concern about the possibility of deferring until I received a grant from the Student Emergency Fund.”
"I am so grateful for the donors to the Student Emergency Fund for their kindness and generosity. Their support enabled me to take the time off work to focus on my health without putting additional pressure on my study.”
"If I had ignored medical advice due to financial stress, I could have risked further harm or worse. The fact that I didn't have to compromise my health to continue studying is something I deeply appreciate," Makie said.