AS&E Students
Arts and Sciences, Engineering, SMFA at Tufts
TUFTS.EDU
AS&E Students
Arts and Sciences, Engineering, SMFA at Tufts
Division of Student Diversity and Inclusion

FIRST Fund

We always hope that each student will be able to attend Tufts without facing unexpected hardship. However, we know that in the span of their undergraduate years, some students may find the associated cost of an opportunity to be prohibitive. To that end, we have created a fund to assist students who need this support.

Please note: Financial Resources through the FIRST Center are available to eligible undergraduate students only. Post-bacc, certificate, and graduate students do not qualify.

Requests for Funding

The following process has been designed for students to request funding for academic and co-curricular opportunities and certain unexpected costs.

Undergraduate students with a family contribution of $10,000 and below are eligible to apply for funding. Applications will be reviewed by FIRST and Financial Aid for approval.

Grant awards typically will not exceed $500.00, which is the maximum total amount that a student may receive over their undergraduate years at Tufts. Students are encouraged to apply for funding as needed, and based on funding limitations, we will do our best to support all requests.

If approved, you will receive instructions for the allocation process. Funds are generally awarded on a reimbursement basis with receipts.

 

Examples of funding requests

  • Essential technology support including repairs, replacement, or new purchases of computers/tablets (Mobile phones and earbuds are excluded)
  • Fees or equipment for a course not covered by financial aid such as Music, Art, Photography, and EMT
  • Athletic equipment for team sports
  • Conference fees/expenses
    • Students presenting at a conference must first apply to the Undergraduate Research Fund. You may then apply to this fund if you have additional costs above the award provided by the Undergraduate Research Fund.
  • Professional attire and Winter clothing (maximum of $200.00 total for clothing)
  • Graduate school expenses including application fees and essential study materials such as MCAT, LSAT, GRE prep materials

Examples of items that do not qualify

  • Tuition
  • Textbooks
  • Mobile phones
  • Earbuds
  • Living expenses such as rent, utilities, and groceries
  • Storage costs
  • Local transportation between home and Tufts
  • Parking costs and auto rentals
  • Travel home for holidays/breaks
  • Travel for family members
  • Expenses related to Commencement and Senior Week such as caps and gowns and tickets to events

To request funding, please complete our FIRST Fund Request Form.

Reminder: Financial Resources through the FIRST Center are available to eligible undergraduate students only. Post-bacc, certificate, and graduate students do not qualify.