Even the smallest gifts can have enormous impact. For students experiencing a crisis, assistance of any kind may mean the difference between completing or leaving that semester.
Recognizing this, the ASU Parents Association established a much-needed program this fall, providing $15,000 to establish an emergency crisis fund. Administered by ASU Student Services on all four campuses, the resources are intended to provide relief and support to ASU students in the most dire of need.
One ASU student, Joshua, received his gift after he and his roommates were robbed by three men in his apartment in October. In addition to other items, the men took his computer, rent money, backpack and credit cards. Within a week, he realized he wouldn’t be able to continue in school without some help. He recalls, “It was enough of a hassle getting to campus to go to classes and work, much less doing the research on possible services without a computer.”
Joshua’s mom began searching for programs or services to help. She contacted the Parents Association and spoke with Robin Okun Hengl, director of parent programs, who encouraged her son to speak with Kaylen Cons, a student advocate in Student Services at the ASU Tempe campus.
“One of the first things we do when a student comes to us is work with financial aid to determine what other avenues of monetary support might be available,” says Kaylen. “Sometimes it’s a mix of programs, like short term loans and grants that a student might be eligible for. Other times, we point students to campus and community resources or help to negotiate agreements on their behalf.”
In Joshua’s case, Kaylen coordinated with the bookstore to loan him the necessary textbooks and then granted him $500. “A few hundred dollars to someone who works part-time means a lot,” said Joshua. “It allowed me to pay rent and have a little security so I could concentrate and finish out the semester. Without it, I would have had to take a break from school to make more money to pay rent and eat.”
Other students found the program through other means.
Kelly received a Parents Association scholarship and other assistance, which covered the bulk of her tuition and living costs, but didn’t leave her enough for basic necessities like personal care items and food. She ate rice and peanut butter for most of the semester until faculty member Marsha Fazio, who gave Kelly food periodically, urged her to speak to TRIO. TRIO is a student support services program sponsored by the U.S. government, which pointed her to Lucia Wilson, assistant dean for student affairs on the ASU West campus.
“When students get to us, very often they have exhausted all of the resources they could think of and, yet, they have the drive to keep going to college,” said Lucia. “We are so thankful to the Parents Association for the opportunity to be able to give money to students going through difficult times.”
As of February 2008, 18 students received gifts ranging from $300 to $1,000, the largest gift allowed under the program.