Utah Valley University began a new $60,000 emergency scholarship fund this spring to help struggling students pay for food, rent, medical bills or other emergency necessities.
“This isn’t just a random student who, all their basic needs are met,” said Associate Vice President and Dean of Students Alexis Palmer. “We are talking about our students who are experiencing basic needs insecurities, and because of that, they can’t function in the classroom.”
Students can receive anywhere from $50 to $500, and the average payout is about $250. The money was earmarked after UVU created a task force to help students secure the basic resources they need to graduate, Palmer said.