The Faculty and Staff Hardship Fund was established in 1994 to financially assist Vanderbilt faculty and staff employed full time at Vanderbilt for over a year and who are experiencing a temporary hardship due to a major life event (the death of a loved one, a fire, an acute illness resulting in loss of income, etc). The employee must have been up to date with paying bills prior to the event and the award would be able to significantly help the employee return to solvency.

These are difficult economic times.  Due to rising costs (gas, food, etc) more people are financially over-extended. If you are not making enough to live on, the criteria of this one-time hardship fund gift may not match your need.  Everyone who applies to the fund is in financial hardship and need. In such a case, the Work/Life Connections-EAP counselor may be able to help you help you handle the stress that comes from this overwhelming debt, develop a plan, and offer suggestions for other community resources.

A Committee of Vanderbilt employees volunteer their time to review the applications weekly and match them with the established criteria so that the approval or denial of requests is consistent.  The program is administered through the Work/Life Connections EAP program. Work/Life Connections-EAP counselors serve as a liaison between the applicant and the Committee.

To apply, a faculty/staff member schedules an appointment with a Work/Life Connections-EAP counselor who will advise as to eligibility for the Fund and/or suggest potential community resources. For a confidential appointment call 936-1327.  Awards are subject to payroll tax.

BUDGETING TIPS

• Make a spending plan (a realistic household budget) and decide where each dollar needs to be spent at the beginning of each month.
• Expenses cannot exceed income.
• AVOID utilizing cash advance.
• Set aside a little each month to create an emergency fund for unexpected expenses.