TIAA Awards $50,000 in Emergency Aid Microgrants to Higher Education Institutions
May 28, 2026
WASHINGTON, D.C. - NASPA—Student Affairs Administrators in Higher Education today announced the recipients of the 2026 TIAA Emergency Aid Microgrant awards. Unexpected and emergency expenses remain a persistent barrier to on-time college completion and student success. NASPA is committed to addressing the basic needs of college students, and emergency aid grants play a critical role in supporting students through financial hardships.
This year’s TIAA Emergency Aid Microgrant Initiative recognizes and awards five higher education institutions with $10,000 in financial support given directly to students, helping them address urgent needs such as housing, food, transportation, and unexpected medical expenses. The 2026 Emergency Aid Microgrant Awardees include:
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Allegany College of Maryland
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Coastal Bend College
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Doane University
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Lincoln University of Pennsylvania
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Montclair State University
NASPA will engage with these five institutions to learn about their approaches to emergency aid administration, elevate promising practices, and inform the development of resources for members leading this work.
“When students are worried about paying for basic monthly expenses, their ability to stay enrolled and complete their education is at risk,” said Dr. Jhenai Chandler, Vice President of Research & Policy at NASPA. “With 52% of undergraduate students reporting financial concerns, this initiative shines a light on the important work campuses are doing to provide emergency aid and basic needs support that helps students succeed.”
“Students across the country are working incredibly hard every day to earn their degrees and build a more secure financial future for themselves and their families. Too often, that journey — and years of dedication — can be derailed by a single unexpected financial crisis,” said Laura Turner, Head of Community Impact, TIAA. “TIAA is deeply committed to supporting the students and communities who trust us to be there when it matters most. Through the TIAA Emergency Aid Microgrant Initiative, we are proud to partner with NASPA and these five exceptional institutions to ensure that a temporary setback does not become a permanent barrier to graduation."
For more information about the TIAA Emergency Aid Microgrant Initiative, please visit: www.naspa.org/project/tiaa-emergency-aid-microgrant-initiative
About NASPA
NASPA is the leading association for the advancement, health, and sustainability of the student affairs profession. Our work provides high-quality professional development, advocacy, and research for 15,000 members in all 50 states, 25 countries, and 8 U.S. territories.
About TIAA
TIAA aims to provide secure retirements and outcome-focused investment solutions to millions of people and thousands of institutions.i It paid more than $6.17 billion in lifetime income to retired clients in 2025ii and has $1.5 trillion in assets under management (as of 03/31/2026).
i. Based on data in PLANSPONSOR's 2025 DC Recordkeeping Survey published June 25, 2025.
ii. As of December 31, 2025, TIAA paid out $6.17 billion in total annuity income. This figure represents all annuity income, including guaranteed and additional amounts, for all of TIAA's annuity products.
i. As of March 31, 2026, assets under management across Nuveen Investments affiliates and TIAA investment management teams are $1,498 billion.
For media inquiries, please contact: Jhenai Chandler [email protected]