Bethel University launches Wildcat Assistance Fund to support students
The new student support fund will help students who are experiencing unexpected setbacks that may interrupt their education plans.
Bethel University has launched a new fund that will help students who are experiencing financial setbacks called the Wildcat Assistance Fund. The Wildcat Assistance Fund is donor supported and can help students through micro-loans that require repayment or grants that do not require repayment, depending on the students’ situations.
According to an article on Bethel University’s website, university president Perry Moulds was quoted as saying of the necessity of the fund, “Our students face real-life challenges that can arise suddenly. When these moments occur, the right support at the right time can make all the difference. The Wildcat Assistance Fund allows us to step in quickly, offer meaningful help, and ensure that a temporary setback doesn’t prevent a student from reaching the finish line.”
The Wildcat Assistance Fund can help students through a variety of temporary setbacks, ranging from medical emergencies, urgent family issues, transportation problems, childcare needs, and housing issues. The funding can be used for tuition, books, housing, utilities, childcare, safety-related expenses, and to replace items lost in a natural disaster like flood or fire. Each request will be reviewed on an individual basis and will take into account the amount of money currently available in the fund, as well as the student’s circumstances. Students may receive funding as a micro-loan, which will need to be repaid, or as a grant, which does not require repayment.
Interim Provost Joe Hames said, “Student success is about more than just academics. When emergencies arise, students need stability and support. This fund provides a way to respond to those moments with compassion and practicality so that students can stay focused on their goals.”
The Wildcat Assistance Fund is supported by donors, which gives individuals who want to help students with their education a direct path toward assistance.
Vice President of Enrollment & Advancement Lougan Bishop said, “We hear from students every day who are balancing school, jobs, families, and sudden challenges. The Wildcat Assistance Fund ensures that when life gets chaotic, they don’t have to give up on their education. Every contribution strengthens our ability to support students in their moment of need.”
For more information about Bethel University, visit the school’s website.