Fulbright College Dean’s Emergency Fund Helps Students in Financial Need
One of the top priorities at the Fulbright College of Arts and Sciences is helping students succeed, which is why the college created its Fulbright College Dean’s Emergency Student Retention Fund.
Since the fund debuted in late 2020, it’s helped 66 students from 16 departments spanning the arts, natural sciences, social sciences, and humanities.
This emergency fund is designed to provide immediate, one-time stopgap funding to help retain undergraduate students who would otherwise be unable to continue their education.
“We started the fund during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Melody Kouchehbagh, senior director of development and external relations. “Because this was when many of our students and their families experienced increased hardship because of job loss, or from food and housing insecurities, or personal and family health crises.”
Preferential support from the fund is given to those who are close to – but would otherwise not be able to – graduate because of extreme financial hardship.
Kouchehbagh said that because the fund is also unrestricted, “it allows us be able to respond to students’ needs as quickly as possible.”
Over the past couple years, the fund has grown rapidly. So far, more than $20,620 has been awarded, helping 40 students with tuition, eight with educational supplies, and 15 with living expenses.
One of those students helped is Kathryn Carter from Lowell. She studies political science and social work, anticipates graduating in 2023, and hopes to become a lawyer.
But that bright future was almost derailed when the single mother of three experienced financial difficulties.
“I have fallen on hard times, and [the fund] was there to assist and provide some relief,” Carter said. “I cannot say thank you enough for the assistance and support in achieving my academic goals.”
“Thanks to you, I now have the funds to pay for my housing for the month of December,” she added. “Every bit of support and encouragement matters. What you all do to support students is above and beyond and so appreciated!”
Kathryn Sloan, interim dean of Fulbright College, said she’s encouraging folks who are interested in giving to others during Thanksgiving or the winter holidays to consider supporting the Fulbright College Dean’s Emergency Student Retention Fund.
“Any amount given to the fund goes a long way to create a better future for our students in need, and to remind them that we’re all in this together and we’re here to help them,” Sloan said.
“Contributions to this fund provide essential resources to students in need,” Sloan added. “Together, we can use the power of generosity to help one another, to make sure our phenomenal students can succeed no matter what they face, and to create a better world for us all.”
Expenses covered by the Emergency Fund include but are not limited to books and other essential academic expenses; overdue utility bills reaching a turn-off notice; unexpected bills that would inhibit graduation, and tuition holds and fees that are impeding enrollment.
To request help from the fund, please complete the online Fulbright College Dean’s Emergency Student Retention Fund form.
To donate online, please visit the Fulbright College Dean’s Emergency Student Retention Fund giving page.
To learn more or donate another way, please contact our development offices at 479-575-3712 or fulbright@uark.edu.