Sometimes life throws things at us that we cannot control or presents circumstances we can’t navigate without some help. College students are no exception to this, and those difficult issues may cause them to stop pursuing their education. U of A Cares in the Dean of Students Office is the frontline for helping students work through those barriers that can arise, and the U of A Cares Student Emergency Fund is a resource to help students through times when monetary support can make the biggest difference.
And of course, the COVID-19 pandemic has created its own set of issues that have made things even more difficult for some students.
“Our normal operations include email and phone outreach to students who are identified in a UA Cares report or who are referred to our office by other departments. From there we meet with a student and discuss current barriers they are facing and connect them with the appropriate resources and support to help them overcome those barriers,” said Andrea Allen, coordinator of U of A Cares. “Sometimes these barriers can be removed with a little bit of money, which may seem out of reach for students in need.”
These emergency funds are typically used by students who have unexpected expenses arise that impact their ability to persist in academic pursuits. This could be unexpected medical bills, rent, utilities, or car repairs. These needs often arise after the loss of a job or some other form of financial assistance. Sometimes students’ families have a change in circumstance or financial aid is not available and this puts financial strain on students.
A perfect example of this is that after a hurricane hit the Bahamas there were several Bahamian students who did not have access to money because banks on the Islands were not operational. So those students who counted on money from family on a monthly basis were suddenly without that monetary support.
“In addition, because of the storm damage, some families were left having to pay for costly repairs or medical bills so their ability to contribute was also diminished,” Allen said. “We were able to help several Bahamian students pay rent that they would not have otherwise been able to pay.”
The U of A Cares program was created as part of a national effort among student affairs professionals that resulted in creation of the Higher Education Case Managers Association in 2008.
“The goal was to develop case management programs in universities across the country, and to help develop ways for college campuses across the nation to work with the challenges presented by students in need of services,” said Dean of Students Melissa Harwood-Rom. “Students on our campus were certainly in need of this kind of help and that need has only increased, especially over the last few months.”
The pandemic changed many things, but U of A Cares operations haven’t changed much, except being fully remote and offering Zoom meetings and phone calls instead of in person meeting. But responses to U of A Cares reports have not changed, and the students are requesting funds much more than usual.
Before the COVID-19 pandemic, U of A Cares received about 5-10 requests for emergency fund help each semester. When COVID first hit they received more than 150 requests in the first month. And though the requests have gone down, they are still getting requests higher than pre-COVID numbers.
“Students face a variety of concerns and life events all while trying to stay engaged and productive in their classes,” Allen said. “For some students, college is a way out of generational poverty while for others it is a generational expectation. However, in both cases students face a variety of challenges and COVID has only magnified those challenges. Students who request emergency funds have often exhausted every other option and sometimes the emergency fund is what allows them to continue to persist in their educational pursuits.”
Since the beginning of the COVID pandemic 294 applications for monetary assistance have been received through U of A Cares. And around $19,000 has been awarded to those students in need.
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There are so many reasons that students need financial assistance in a normal year, but 2020 has not been a normal year. Restaurants and other public spaces closing made things difficult for our students in many ways. The biggest impact has been loss of jobs or severe reduction in hours. Another serious issue has been access to reliable internet.
“When COVID first started and restaurants were shut down we had a few students who had no way to pay rent and utilities because of the sudden loss of their jobs,” Allen said. “The emergency fund was able to help them until unemployment benefits were available. Because of this they were able to stay enrolled in the Spring semester and are also not thousands of dollars in debt due to breaking their property leases early.”
“Many students relied on coffee shops, restaurants, and other public spaces for reliable internet and when those places closed or no longer allowed indoor seating these students had to find other ways to get assignments completed,” Allen said. “The emergency fund has gone to students who suddenly found themselves without access to reliable internet, to pay for upgrades to existing wi-fi, or in at least one case, to pay for internet for the first time at a student’s home.”
The Student Emergency Fund is used to help students year-round. When the pandemic hit, and students started needing even more assistance, hundreds of people stepped up and made donations to the fund.
“The U of A Cares Fund has been instrumental in our ability to assist students when they are faced with unforeseen financial issues that can ultimately impact their campus experience. Students who have received U of A Cares funding have overwhelming indicated the relief they experience in knowing that not only does the University cares, but that there are resources available to help them,” said Ben Carter, Sr. director of development for Student Affairs. “The university would not be able to offer these resources to our students without the meaningful support from our donors. Every gift to U of A Cares is making a positive impact on a student’s life.”
You can make a donation to the U of A Cares Student Emergency Fund here.