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 UCA 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 UCA 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. UCA 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, UCA 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.”