How the Emergency Scholarships for Future Innovators Fund Helps Students in Need

The Emergency Scholarships for Future Innovators fund was created in 2022 to help students who face unexpected financial challenges stay in school and without interruption to their education.

The scholarship was awarded to six students in its first year. Five of them have graduated and the sixth student is still enrolled and on track to becoming an LTU alum. Which means, it didn’t take long for the fund to fulfill its mission.

“It does seem like it’s helping to retain the students while also helping them finish their degrees,” said Jackie Alexander, LTU’s Associate Director of Financial Aid.

The current academic year so far has seen 37 students receive the award, thanks to a boost in funds from LTU’s 2023 Giving Day and the fall 2023 Faculty and Staff Campaign.

“It’s been such a tremendous help,” said Ms. Alexander. “Even for just the little things like books and supplies.”

The emergency scholarship fund keeps students on track to graduate.

The needs for emergency funds are varied. A change in financial circumstances due to a family member’s death, divorce or job loss, for instance, can trickle down into the student’s life – and put tuition payments in jeopardy.

For students with limited resources, unexpected car repairs or family emergencies can strain already limited budgets. And even the most budget-conscious student can underestimate the costs of books and supplies from one semester to the next.

When sudden financial needs do arise students aren’t always aware the emergency fund exists until they learn about it through a professor, a dean or a fellow student – and that’s when they reach out to the financial aid office.

“They don’t know exactly what we can do for them. So that’s when we ask them: what is it that they need and what are they looking for? And once we are able to assist them, they are just so thankful that we can help,” Ms. Alexander adds.

When help is offered, students often break down and sob. “The littlest amount given tends to floor them. It just blows my mind that they are so appreciative of any support.”

Ms. Alexander believes the scholarship helps students “in more ways than we can even comprehend. It’s an amazing tool to be able to have a scholarship so general it allows any student who needs assistance get that assistance.”

The impact is also immediate.

“You see that it’s helping students right here and now. You can donate to any scholarship or fund but this one in particular really helps the student in the moment.”

Gifts to the emergency scholarship fund can be made online at ltu.edu/give .

by Pam Houghton