One Day, One U of A – a 24-hour giving day is on April 10. This event is your opportunity to directly support projects that make an immediate and lasting impact on University of Arkansas students.
The Division of Student Affairs has projects that directly support students in their time of need – Meal Plan Scholarships and the UA Cares Student Emergency Fund.
The Meal Plan Scholarship helps close the gap between financial obstacles and food insecurity among college students. It supplements students’ unmet financial needs and focuses on providing on-campus meal plans, which provide students with regular meals to lessen the worry about where their next meal will come from.
“A donation to the Student Meal Scholarship Fund, no matter the size, is a lifeline that nourishes not just the body, but the future of a student striving for success,” said Loria Oliver, director of development for Student Affairs. “By helping fund the Student Meal Scholarship, you are feeding more than just hunger – you are fueling dreams, fostering growth, and ensuring that a young mind can focus on what truly matters: learning, thriving, and shaping a brighter tomorrow.”
“Food is a basic human need, and every student deserves access to proper nutrition,” said John Berry, who provided the initial money for the Meal Plan Scholarship with his partner Richard Anderson. “That’s why Richard and I provided the seed money for the Student Affairs Meal Plan Scholarship – to ensure that no student has to choose between their education and their next meal.”
Here is what one student had to say about receiving the Meal Plan Scholarship.
“The meal plan scholarship I received during my time at the University of Arkansas relieved me of so much stress and anxiety. I work two jobs, typically leaving my house at 4:30 a.m. and returning home at 9 p.m., and hot food in the middle of the day makes a big difference,” said the recipient who wishes to remain anonymous. “My meal plan scholarship allowed me to have more nutritious food than my packable options–salads, smoothie bowls, fresh fruit, and high-protein meals instead of a peanut butter sandwich every day.”
The UA Cares Student Emergency Fund meets a vital need for students of all levels at the U of A by providing direct financial assistance for unexpected expenses due to medical emergencies, unexpected loss of job/income, or other situations that may negatively impact their ability to continue their enrollment. It is one of the only funds that can provide direct financial assistance to students, regardless of their current university account balance.
“Donating to UA Cares Student Emergency Fund isn’t just an act of generosity – it’s a lifeline that can change the entire trajectory of a scholar’s academic journey,” Oliver said. “Providing access to the resources they need in times of crisis ensures that challenges don’t become insurmountable barriers; donate today and create a brighter future for students who have unexpected needs.”
“Sometimes a relatively small amount of money can help keep a student in school,” said Charlie Whiteside who supports students through various established funds. “Having a place to go for financial assistance and a helping hand can make a big difference. We hope this UA Cares Student Emergency fund helps the University of Arkansas do everything possible to help a student stay in school, even when it feels impossible!”
“Receiving the UA Cares Fund had a positive impact on my pursuit of higher education. As a mom, my funds tend to become very tight. Prior to receiving them, I had to consider completely withdrawing, even though giving up was the last thing I wanted to do,” said Anna a recipient of the Cares money. “The generosity and care provided me by the U of A allowed me to keep pursuing my goals and has given me the ability to complete my bachelor’s degree. I am so grateful for the investment U of A has made in me.”
“I used the UA Cares Emergency Fund to cover expenses on my vehicle. I was living off campus, so I had to commute to work every day. A piston started misfiring right after paying my rent. I had to decide whether to buy car parts or eat very minimally the next two weeks. Not only that, but I was not able to travel to my part time job! Panic ensued,” said recipient Weston. “However, I remembered hearing something about the UA Cares Emergency Fund. I applied that same day, and the process was relatively painless. I bought the parts, showed the receipts, and money was sent quickly.”
Both funds are worthy of supporting, as they directly and immediately impact students’ lives when they need it most.
“No matter the size of the donation you might make, these funds go directly to students in a time of great need,” Oliver said. “Sometimes these funds are the only thing that keeps students continuing their education when things feel impossible.”
Please check out our giving pages for each fund below and be ready to support students on April 10! And we’d love for you to share these on your social media accounts!