UTD International Student Emergency Fund (UTDISEF) - USCIS Fees

What Is It?

The UT Dallas International Student Emergency Fund (UTDISEF) is dedicated to providing vital financial assistance to UT Dallas international students facing unforeseen circumstances that demand financial support. These situations, if left unattended, could potentially jeopardize a student's ability to maintain enrollment and progress towards graduation.

The fund specifically targets USCIS-related needs, encompassing OPT, Reinstatement, and Economic Hardship applications.  It's important to recognize that the UTDISEF aims to address critical, unexpected challenges impacting students' academic journeys and is not intended to cover regular monthly expenses.

Originally initiated by UT Dallas alumni in response to the COVID-19 crisis, the fund continues to receive ongoing support from the compassionate UT Dallas community, including students, faculty, staff, and alumni.

For any inquiries or assistance regarding the application process, please reach out to InternationalSuccess@utdallas.edu.

Who Is Eligible to Apply?

To be eligible fo UTDISEF grants, applicants must:

  1. Be a UTD Dallas international student, in F-1 status, or applying for reinstating your F-1 status. 
  2. Be physically in the United States.
  3. Be enrolled full time, or authorized by the ISSO for a reduced course load.
  4. Complete all required application questions and submit supporting documentation, as required.
  5. A student may only receive one UTDISEF grant per semester, if approved.

How Much Grant/Aid Will I Receive?

The amount of financial assistance provided by the UTDISEF USCIS Fee Grant will cover the application fee specifically for OPT, Reinstatement, or Economic Hardship. Please note that the grant is intended to cover the application fees only for these USCIS-related purposes.

Grant/Aid Priorities

UTDISEF allocations will be made for the following needs:

  • USCIS application fees for critical immigration applications
    • Optional Practical Training (OPT) 
    • Reinstatement
    • Economic Hardship