Grant will help low-income students stay enrolled

The University of Akron has received a $630,000 Dash Emergency Grant from Great Lakes Higher Education Corporation & Affiliates for a student emergency-aid program. UA is one of the first four-year institutions to receive the grant, and, equal to University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee, received the largest award.

Modest emergency grants—typically of less than $1,000—will be awarded to students in need with the goal of keeping them in school working toward their degree.

 “An expense that’s a nuisance for one student can be a financial disaster for another,” said Ron Bowman, assistant vice president for student success. “If students are already struggling to cover their bills, a breakdown of a car or an unexpected medical expense could force them to withdraw from the university.”

The Dash Emergency Grant program will provide UA with $630,000. The University will begin making emergency grants in Fall 2017. Students will complete an application detailing their financial emergency, then a committee at UA will review the application.

Expenses up to $1,000 will be paid within two business days of approval. By quickly removing financial distractions, students can focus on their studies and continue toward graduation.

The University of Akron is one of the first four-year colleges to receive a Dash Emergency Grant from Great Lakes. The initiative for four-year colleges builds on the success enjoyed by two-year colleges since Great Lakes began supporting emergency grant programs in 2012. The two-year institutions report that students who receive emergency grants stay in school at better rates and graduate in larger numbers.

“We’re pleased to extend our Dash Emergency Grant to The University of Akron and other four-year colleges to help more at-risk students overcome financial obstacles to completion,” said Richard D. George, president and chief executive officer of Great Lakes.

A combined $7.2 million in grants was awarded to 32 colleges in Arkansas, Iowa, Minnesota, North Dakota, Ohio and Wisconsin.

Media contact: Dan Minnich, 330-972-6476 or dminnich@uakron.edu