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Student Emergency Relief Fund raises over $20,000

Unemployment | Photo by Soham Parikh | The Wright State Guardian

| Photo by Soham Parikh | The Wright State Guardian


Countless students are currently out of work due to the coronavirus outbreak, leaving them in financial hardship. The Student Emergency Relief Fund aims to relieve students who are dealing with this struggle of some of their financial stress.

“During this unprecedented time, it is important to come together as a community to support and care for our families, including our Wright State family,” according to the Wright State University Foundation.

How students qualify to receive support

Any currently enrolled students who are able to demonstrate their financial aid due to the coronavirus pandemic are eligible.

How many students this fund wishes to aide

According to Associate Director for Student Advocacy and Wellness Destinee Biesemeyer, the fund currently has 454 applicants, and those running the fund wish to assist all in some way. Students worried about evictions and resourcing food will receive assistance through light case management first, according to Biesemeyer.

When and how the money will be distributed to students

According to Biesemeyer, in the first 24 hours, the fund had more than $125,000 worth of requests and only $5,000 to distribute.

Currently, the campaign has raised over $20,000, yet this is still not as much as the requested aide. Because of this, the issuing of financial aid to students has been delayed as those in charge determine the best way to distribute the existing money in the fund.

In terms of how the money will be distributed, students who do not currently have a balance on their student accounts can receive money through their accounts.

However, if students have a balance on their account, the money distributed to them through their account will go towards the balance. Those running the fund are looking at different ways to distribute the money in that circumstance.

According to Biesemeyer, the likely method to distribute money in that scenario would be a cash card.

No set deadline for student applications

According to Biesemeyer, the fund will continue to accept applications for as long as there is funding available.

One way the Student Emergency Relief Fund is obtaining financial assistance for students is through the Deedrick Student Support Fund, an existing fund at WSU.

According to the Deedrick Student Support Fund, it aims to assist students in this time of crisis by helping them afford basic needs for things like toiletries, supplies, necessary medications and travel for returning to homes outside of the area.

If students have questions regarding the Student Emergency Relief Fund, they can reach out to Student Advocacy and Wellness at studentadvocacyandwellness@wright.edu.



Alexis Wisler

Managing Editor

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