When personal setbacks away from the classroom disrupt their efforts in the classroom, students may have difficulty bouncing back. The Urgent Student Relief Fund assists students who find themselves suddenly in crisis because of car trouble, lost jobs, or unexpected personal expense. This support helps students stay on the pathway to success at the University of Hawai‘i and in their post-college lives.
Student emergency needs take many forms, such as rent payments, car repairs, medical bills, and basic needs like food and clothing.
“The good news is that not only can we help students with immediate needs through this fund, but we can use it as a vehicle to connect students to other supportive resources, such as counseling, shelters and food pantries,” says UH Hilo Interim Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs Chris Holland. “This allows students to get immediate help with a true emergency, then to get back on track with good planning and a professional support resource on campus.
The ability to help students is central to everything we do at the university. Students are very appreciative of the process, knowing we are taking a holistic approach to assisting them—obviously, the money is needed for the emergency, but the wraparound services are ultimately what keeps students engaged in their own life planning.”
