In response to catastrophic August flooding across south Louisiana, the University of Louisiana at Lafayette is distributing $95,000 to help 110 of its students overcome financial hardships.
“The funds are to help students continue their studies,” said DeWayne Bowie, vice president for Enrollment Management. “Some of our students and their families faced setbacks due to flooded homes, damaged vehicles and other losses.”
Each qualified student will receive at least $500 applied toward their tuition or other educational expenses, according to Bowie.
To qualify, students submitted an application and copies of FEMA documentation to demonstrate their need. A committee reviewed the applications and made fund allotment decisions. Decision letters have been sent to recipients.
Of the monies, $59,000 is grants that will provide financial assistance to students affected by the severe storm. Additional aid in the form of scholarships is coming from funds raised through the University’s Annual Fund.
Through the Annual Fund, donors contributed more than $35,000, during the University’s student flood relief fundraising drive in September.
That total includes a $5,000 donation from the Pinhook Foundation, a private foundation in Lafayette, which was utilized for a dollar-for-dollar matching-gift challenge to encourage more contributions. Also, Ragin’ Cajuns student-athletes collected $2,600 from fans attending the first three home football games of the season.
Other institutions pitched in support. Coastal Carolina University pledged $1,400 toward the student relief fund.
University of South Alabama and Northwestern State University sent clothing, food and supplies to help hundreds of UL Lafayette students.
In an effort to pay some of the kindness back, the Athletics Department is hosting a pair of fundraising efforts this week to assist members of the Coastal Carolina University community who were affected recently by Hurricane Matthew. For more information, visit the Athletics website.