Edgewood College officials announced Wednesday a grant fund to “provide immediate cash relief” for students to support themselves during the coronavirus pandemic.
“Today, at my request, the Board of Trustees approved a $500,000 student relief fund,” Sr. Mary Ellen Gevelinger, Interim President of Edgewood College, said in a statement. “This provides immediate cash relief for students. So many service industries that our students rely on for employment are affected. We are fortunate to be able to offer a program that will provide some support for our students to help with basic needs like groceries, rent and unexpected expenses during this national and global health crisis.”
Under the Presidential Relief Fund, undergraduate students may apply for a grant of up to $1,500 paid in installments in May, June, and July 2020, according to a news release from Edgewood. The goal of the fund is to assist as many students as possible to continue their course of study at Edgewood College in the fall.
“We’ve heard the concerns of the students and in the spirit of Dominican partnership, we want to demonstrate that we are in this together,” Lucy Keane, chair of the Board of Trustees, said in a statement. “Edgewood College is defined by the success of our students. This program helps create a bridge to the fall semester for hundreds of students who are simply hoping to return to Edgewood College this fall.”
College administrators are finalizing the details of the program with the expectation that applications for the Presidential Relief Fund will begin on or around April 15. The College also offers a student emergency fund if students are facing an urgent financial need outside the terms of the grant.