Bloomsburg University Foundation Secures Grant to Help Low-income Students Complete Their Academic Degrees
Posted on October 20, 2020
The Bloomsburg University Foundation secured a First Federal Charitable Foundation grant it will use to provide students with the financial support they need to complete their degrees, including help with residual tuition support, computers, study aids, books, internet accessibility, temporary housing and basic food shortages.
Proceeds from the grant will be available to BU students from Carbon, Columbia, Luzerne, and Schuylkill counties who are experiencing financial challenges, helping BU continue its mission to provide affordable education for qualified students, regardless of their current financial situations.
“Thank you to First Federal Charitable Foundation for its generous support, which will help us recruit and retain students from our local surrounding communities, especially during these economically challenging times for students and their families,” said BU President Bashar W. Hanna. “Alleviating the stress that comes with financial struggles is essential to providing an atmosphere that fosters student success, and support for emergency scholarships allows us to do that.”
In 2019, 48% of BU students came from households classified as low or very-low-income. Immediate-use funding provided through donor support allows BU to respond to student need and helps with the University’s recruitment and retention efforts.
“Consistent support from our donors to immediate-use funds is the key to creating opportunities for students facing financial need, many of whom are the first in their families to go to college,” said BU vice president for advancement Erik Evans. “In the current climate, additional funding from local organizations like First Federal is critical to helping us maintain our focus keeping a Bloomsburg education affordable and accessible, and we are very grateful for their support.”
Ashley Garcia-Mejia, a nursing major from Hazleton and Sabrina Lopez, a biology/pre-med major from Freeland were 2019 Emergency Scholarship recipients.
