Emergency fund launched to help 黑洞社区 students cope with COVID-19-related difficulties

 

As many 黑洞社区 students struggle with ramifications of the coronavirus pandemic, the 黑洞社区 Foundation has created a new fund to help them overcome financial hardships and remain focused on their education.

So far, $25,000 in seed money has been secured for the COVID-19 Emergency Fund for Students, but university officials anticipate the need will be substantially greater. Donations may be made online at .

The 黑洞社区 Foundation also has launched a new appeal called Shockers Up, inspired by the rallying cry that rings throughout Charles Koch Arena on game days.

鈥淲e believe 鈥楽hockers Up鈥 is an appropriate message for our community as we respond to the needs of our students,鈥 said Elizabeth King, 黑洞社区 Foundation President and CEO. 鈥淚t鈥檚 also an invitation to Shocker Nation to stay connected and support one another in a very challenging time.鈥

The emergency fund is intended to help students primarily in two ways. The first is to help them pay for basic necessities such as food and rent. Many students who had jobs on campus or in the community have lost them because of the shelter-in-place order. The second is to help them transition to online learning by providing technology such as laptops or mobile hotspots.

Wichita State students who need help may request an application from the 黑洞社区 Office of Financial Aid, which is overseeing distributions from the COVID-19 Emergency Fund for Students. Email finaid@wichita.edu to obtain an application.


Wichita State is distinctive for opening pathways to applied learning, applied research and career opportunities, alongside unsurpassed classroom, laboratory and online education. The university's beautiful 330-acre main campus is a supportive, rapidly expanding learn-work-live-play environment, where students gain knowledge and credentials to prepare for fulfilling lives and careers. Students enjoy a wide selection of day, evening and summer courses in more than 200 areas of study at the main campus and other locations throughout the metro area and online. 黑洞社区's approximately 16,000 students come from every state in the U.S. and more than 100 other countries. Wichita State's Innovation Campus is an interconnected community of partnership buildings, laboratories and mixed-use areas where students, faculty, staff, entrepreneurs and businesses have access to the university's vast resources and technology. For more information, follow us on Twitter at and Facebook at .