UT veterans rely on new emergency fund to keep studying
The Jean Perkins Foundation provides $5,000 scholarships to 55 veterans annually and offers quick cash for unexpected costs like car repairs.
By Robert Ward ·
Student veterans at The University of Texas at Austin often face financial gaps between standard benefits and daily living costs. A new emergency fund aims to close those gaps before they force students to leave school. The Jean Perkins Foundation and the Texas Veteran and Military Student Experience Office (TVMSE) manage this support.
Since 2011, the foundation has awarded annual scholarships to 55 student veterans. Each award is worth $5,000. Over the last 15 years, this program has distributed more than $4 million in total funding. These grants help cover tuition and living expenses for students who transition from military service to college degrees.
Morgan Ferguson, a 30-year-old kinesiology major, illustrates how these funds work. A U.S. Navy veteran and first-generation college student, she uses her GI Bill benefits for most expenses. The Jean Perkins Foundation covers the remaining balance. This structure allows her to continue her studies while raising a child.
Beyond the annual scholarships, the foundation supports the Bridge Fund. This program provides rapid, flexible assistance for unexpected expenses. Examples include car repairs for commuters or professional clothing for job interviews. The goal is to prevent small financial setbacks from derailing a student's progress.
David Lessenberry, a retired U.S. Navy senior chief and assistant director of TVMSE, explains the necessity of the Bridge Fund. "The Jean Perkins Bridge Fund has been key in keeping our students enrolled, in school, and able to succeed," he said. He noted that many students live far from campus due to cost, making emergency transportation repairs a common need.
Chris-Enrique Vega, a history major from El Paso, grew up in foster care. He attributes his ability to take an unpaid internship in Ireland to the financial stability provided by the scholarship. "Not having a traditional support system, I have to take finances into consideration with everything," Vega said. The funds gave him the liberty to explore career opportunities without immediate financial pressure.
Jen Yung Lee, a 2018 graduate and former Army staff sergeant, used the scholarship to ease the stress of tuition. He now competes on the U.S. national sled hockey team as a Paralympian. Lee credits the support for allowing him to focus on his studies and his athletic career. The foundation, named for Jean Perkins Stuart, an heir to the Carnation Company, continues to support veterans through graduation and into their professional lives.
