Threat of eviction. Job loss. Food insecurity. Mounting medical bills. Automobile repairs. Risk of utility shut-off.
Even homelessness.
College students are far from immune to these harsh realities – realities that sometimes can crash down on their journey to graduation like a big tree in the middle of the road during a sudden storm.
At ETSU, the Buccaneer Student Crisis Fund is helping students overcome these obstacles.
The program actually started during an epic storm, the COVID-19 pandemic, by offering
support to students suddenly facing unexpected hardships as a result of the national
crisis. ETSU’s Day of Giving campaign in 2021 was dedicated to raising funds for this
new initiative. In May 2021 alone, some 72 donors contributed over $8,600 to the fund. 
“As we move past the pandemic, we continue to see students become face-to-face with barriers and obstacles that can be a deterrent to their success in the classroom and, in some cases, even remaining in school,” said Britney Deaver, Assistant Dean of Students at ETSU.
According to Deaver, the Buccaneer Student Crisis Fund assists students with unanticipated needs they did not plan for in advance, such as medical expenses or a situation back at home that interferes with the ability of parents to help.
Students in crisis are often identified through a CARE report submitted by a faculty or staff member. Deaver or a colleague will reach out to a student to begin a conversation about a strategy to help. Students can also apply directly online for assistance.
As much as $500 is offered to those whose applications are approved.
“But we do more than just provide financial assistance,” Deaver said. “Our staff will
give applicants with a listing of available resources, and we work to get them connected
with community agencies who can help.”
Deaver estimates as many as 40 students are assisted each semester through the Buccaneer
Student Crisis Fund.
“Being in a situation having to ask for help is a very vulnerable and difficult place for our students to be,” she said. “I see a lot of students in tears as they worry about being evicted or finding the money to fix their car so they can commute to campus.
“And we also see tears of joy when they know help can be provided.”
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To make a gift to the Buccaneer Student Crisis Fund, contact Dessi Ford, Director
of Development for Student Life and Enrollment, at 423-439-5125 or forddk@etsu.edu.
Excerpts from applicants to the Buccaneer Student Crisis Fund:
“My previous job was unable to work with my school schedule and without notice told me that I had to choose between continuing to go to school or keeping my job. Getting a degree is my dream, so I was forced to quit my job. I have no family support, and I pay for everything on my own. Without a job, it has been very hard to make ends meet, especially with inflation, and the prices of everything going up. I knew that choosing school would be a very difficult decision to make. I do have a new job lined up that is willing to work with my classes, but I cannot start for another two weeks. My rent is due before I will receive a paycheck, and I’m in need of the money, so I don’t get evicted. have sold things on Facebook trying to obtain the amount but am getting nowhere.”
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“We have been homeless since last fall, due to relocation. My family currently staying in temporary housing. Finances have become a strain due to this situation, which makes me continuing to go to school even harder to for my family to afford. My mom can't afford to help because she has two younger children to take care of at home. Plus, temporary housing takes a lot from that and then I have to constantly borrow from others to cover any expenses that I have while I am here at school. It has become very stressful to cover any expenses I have, such as car maintenance and gas, car insurance, cell phone bill, and food and groceries. I have nowhere else to go if I can’t stay at ETSU. I am currently working, and am saving all that I can so that I won’t feel so stressed about money. But, for now, it is very hard to get on my own feet.”
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“Early this year in January, I experienced a very tough housing situation where I was forced to move out of my apartment because of a new management who increased the rent by almost a 100%. Due to the fact my roommate and I could not afford the increase, we had to move out of the apartment. I had no where to go, and believed I would be homeless, until a classmate agreed to share her room with me for a while, and split her rent into halves. This helped the both of us in affording a roof over our head. However, soon after I moved in with her, the management found out I was staying there, and gave me less than 24 hours notice to leave the apartment, or else I would risk getting my friends evicted from their apartment. I had to move out the next morning with absolutely no where to go. I looked for affordable housing but was unable to find a place, due to unavailability and/or my strict income requirement. I eventually signed a lease with the only available (and cheapest) option I could find, so that I could have a roof over my head. I hoped I could receive money from my home country to help sort this, but it has not been feasible due to the rising exchange rates and difficulty in accessing U.S. dollars from my home country. I have also not earned any stipend my from assistantship yet, so I have not yet had any income coming in. This financial crisis assistance will really go a long way in enabling me pay rent until I can resume earning my assistantship stipends.”
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“I am pregnant and a single first-time mother at ETSU. I am an international student from Ghana. I need financial support to buy things for my baby to come and also get items like microwave, and mini-fridge to make life easier for me and my baby to live on-campus. I came here unprepared to have a baby, and do not have the funds to purchase all of the items I need to make it comfortable for us here. I am trying, but my financial support back home is not able to pay for anything additional, as that was not part of the original agreement. I have a Graduate Assistantship Position, but do not have enough extra funds after paying program fees, insurance, medical bills, etc. to purchase the things I need. Any assistance would be appreciated.”
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“I was affected by covid and most jobs in my town closed due to being small businesses. I am now also the caretaker for my grandfather, who has stage 4 COPD, as well as my father who is disabled. I am a first-generation student, and I am on my own. My parents are very low income and cannot help me in any way financially. I do have an on-campus job with federal work study and I have another job where I am a security guard. My concern is being able to pay for my housing on-campus as well as some repairs to my car that need to be fixed. I am trying to work around my school, family, and job schedule to pick up another job to help pay for it but it is challenging. I really need to get a few things fixed on my car so that I will be able to get back and forth from jobs and to help take care of my family. This money could greatly help my mental health and help me be able to focus more on school.”