Removing economic barriers for students in crisis helps them stay on path to graduation
Northcentral Technical College (NTC) now has additional resources to help low-income students weather financial emergencies. Students can apply for small grants to help cover expenses just beyond their means, which allows them to quickly return focus to their academic pursuits.
“NTC is proud to be named a recipient of the Dash emergency grant,” said Vicki Jeppesen, Vice President of College Advancement & Executive Director of NTC Foundation. “Increasing the number of emergency funds that are available at NTC means that more students will have the opportunity to receive the financial assistance they need to earn a college degree.”
The student emergency grant program at NTC is made possible by a $39,700 Dash emergency grant from Great Lakes Higher Education Guaranty Corporation. NTC is one of 31 community and technical colleges in Iowa, Minnesota, Ohio and Wisconsin that received a combined $1.5 million in Great Lakes grants to build emergency grant programs that help low-income students overcome financial obstacles that might otherwise cause them to drop out.
“Great Lakes is pleased to provide more resources to colleges like NTC that are dedicated to supporting students in times of greatest need,” said Richard D. George, President and Chief Executive Officer of Great Lakes. “Emergency grants are a bridge to college completion and the financial security a degree can provide.”
NTC began making student emergency grants of up to $500 each in spring 2016. Qualified expenses will be paid within 48 hours of an approved application. Students also will be referred to additional campus, community, and financial literacy resources to supplement the grants, address root causes or contributing factors to the financial emergencies, and further support students’ persistence.
To serve greater numbers of students throughout the Great Lakes grant period and beyond, NTC will contribute matching funds during the 2016-2017 and 2017-2018 academic years. “Our shared commitment is key to making emergency grant programs sustainable long-term,” said Amy Kerwin, Vice President – Community Investments at Great Lakes.
To contribute to the Student Emergency Fund at NTC, contact Sheila Rossmiller at [email protected] or 715.803.1302.