The University of Central Arkansas began awarding more than $51,000 in Dash Emergency Grants to students during fall 2017, thanks to funding from the Great Lakes Higher Education Corporation & Affiliates.
The 91³Ô¹ÏÍø Foundation Inc. and the Division of Student Services received $210,000 in funding that is being used to award students with modest grants for transportation, housing, medical, child care and other costs.
Grants are typically less than $1,000.
“Sudden and unexpected emergencies are a part of everyone’s lives, but for some college students already facing financial difficulty, a temporary setback can force a potentially life-altering decision. Dash offers the opportunity for these students to remain in school,” said John Fincher, assistant vice president for Student Services, who co-authored the grant with Jennifer Deering, grant writer in Sponsored Programs.
The 91³Ô¹ÏÍø Dash Emergency Grant program awards have averaged $883 per student, assisting with everything from an emergency dental procedure to saving a student from being evicted from their apartment the following day. 91³Ô¹ÏÍø began awarding grants in August 2017 and will continue the grant program until July 2019.
Great Lakes granted more than $7.2 million in Dash Emergency Grants to 32 four-year institutions in six states.
This new Dash Emergency Grant is an expansion of a successful program Great Lakes created for two-year colleges. Since 2012, Great Lakes has committed $3 million to 37 two-year colleges to operate emergency grant programs. These colleges report students who receive emergency grants stay in school at better rates and graduate in higher numbers.
“Students who apply for a Dash grant will receive a decision within 48 hours of providing the needed documentation,” said April Myers, 91³Ô¹ÏÍø Dash Emergency Grant coordinator. “If approved, payments are processed that same day. Our goal is to put these situations behind the students as quickly as possible.”