UGA President commits an additional $250,000 to emergency funds for students in need
This story was originally published in UGA Today on August 5, 2020.
As the University of Georgia prepares for students to return for class on August 20, President Jere W. Morehead has committed $250,000 in private discretionary support to two emergency funds benefitting students who are experiencing critical and unexpected financial difficulties.
President Morehead has directed $150,000 to the Undergraduate Student Emergency Fund and $100,000 to the Graduate Student Emergency Fund. This is on top of $650,000 allocated to the funds by Morehead and the trustees of the UGA Foundation in the spring.
“The ongoing financial challenges that face our nation due to COVID-19 continue to affect many of our students,” Morehead said. “These private funds help students meet basic needs – providing them the means to buy food, pay rent, receive medicine and medical care – while continuing their education.”
Applications for the funds are coordinated through the Office of Student Financial Aid in partnership with Student Care and Outreach for the Undergraduate Student Emergency Fund and in partnership with the Graduate School for the Graduate Student Emergency Fund. Students may apply through the links provided.
The university determines eligibility by prioritizing students who demonstrate significant financial need and have exhausted available resources.
During the 2019-20 academic year, the university awarded nearly $1.1 million in emergency fund allocations to 1,890 university students:
- Undergraduate Emergency Fund: $822,039 awarded to 1,678 students
- Graduate School Emergency Fund: $273,826 awarded to 212 students
Earlier this year, President Morehead and Vice President for Development and Alumni Relations Kelly Kerner launched a special private giving campaign to support the effort. The campaign will continue as long as the need remains.
To support UGA’s most vulnerable students during this global crisis, please visit UGA’s Coronavirus Emergency Support website.
