Student Emergency Fund Presenter: Frank Morea Director of Counseling and Career Development – Main Campus Trident Technical College

Fund

Overview The Trident Technical College Foundation Student Emergency Fund was established to assist students who have an unforeseen financial emergency, which would otherwise prevent them from continuing their education at Trident Technical College. Situations include, but are not limited to, accidents, medical or dental emergencies, natural disasters, travel emergencies, need for temporary housing due to unanticipated events. Awareness of the Emergency Fund has been growing steadily over the past year. Word of mouth among students has led to additional inquiries to the fund and how it works. Currently there is no documentation available on the TTC Website or brochure to provide information directly to students.

Overview The fund is designed as a one-time form of assistance for students. Funds distributed generally do not exceed $500. The committee will review applications requesting in excess of $500 for unique and unusual circumstances of financial need and, in its judgement, may award above that amount. Funds do not have to be repaid. Receiving funding from the Emergency Fund does not affect current or future Financial Aid packages for the student. Awareness of the Emergency Fund has been growing steadily over the past year. Word of mouth among students has led to additional inquiries to the fund and how it works. Currently there is no documentation available on the TTC Website or brochure to provide information directly to students.

Types of Expenses Considered Examples of expenses considered for funding include, but are not limited to: Overdue rent and utilities Medication / Prescription expenses Safety related needs (i.e. changing locks, short term emergency shelter) Transportation/Vehicle repair Awareness of the Emergency Fund has been growing steadily over the past year. Word of mouth among students has led to additional inquiries to the fund and how it works. Currently there is no documentation available on the TTC Website or brochure to provide information directly to students.

Types of Expenses Not Considered Examples of expenses not considered for funding include, but are not limited to: Tuition, fees, health insurance, and study abroad costs Books Non-essential utilities, household, or furniture costs not related to damage or theft Parking tickets Costs for entertainment, recreation, non-emergency travel or other non-essential expenses Awareness of the Emergency Fund has been growing steadily over the past year. Word of mouth among students has led to additional inquiries to the fund and how it works. Currently there is no documentation available on the TTC Website or brochure to provide information directly to students.

Selection Committee The selection committee is comprised of 7 members: 2 TTC Faculty Members 2 TTC Staff Members 3 Foundation Board Representatives * Counseling has a non-voting position in the role of Chair.

Eligibility A Trident Technical College student who has completed at least one semester, is currently registered for at least 6 credits, and is in Good Academic Standing in the semester when the fund is to be applied; The student must demonstrate current financial need as determined by the committee and provide documentation of situation; The student must be making academic progress as determined by the Financial Aid Office and the Registrar’s Office; and The student must have met with a TTC counselor in Counseling and Career Development Services. A student’s application for federal aid may be considered, but will not be the only factor considered;

Application Process Students are identified through interactions with Faculty and Staff, and referred directly to Counseling for more information The student meets with a Counselor to determine eligibility and is informed of the requirements Eligible students complete an application packet and provide documentation The Counselor assembles the completed application forms and creates a single electronic document which is sent to Committee Members for review/discussion consisting of an Application, Statement of Understanding, Personal statement, W9, and provide documentation of their need (i.e. Electric Bill, etc. ;

Application Process consisting of an Application, Statement of Understanding, Personal statement, and documentation of their need (i.e. Electric Bill, etc. ;

Examples .   

Examples .   

Examples .   

Selection Process Committee members are given 3-5 days to render their vote Counseling collects the votes and contacts the Foundation with results If an award is granted, a check is issued to the vendor (i.e. SCE&G) and is picked up by Counseling to be given to the student Throughout the entire process the student is in contact with only 1 person (the Counselor) for confidentiality purposes

Program Outcomes Since its inception in December 2010, the program has assisted 171 Trident Technical College students with grants totaling over $71,000. The average grant size is $542.49. Success is being measured by whether or not the student is able to complete the semester in which they receive assistance. 87.13% have been able to stay in school and finish the semester despite difficult financial, and often emotional, challenges. .   

Program Outcomes Since Inception 171 $71,657.73 87.13% 21.05% 34.50%   # Students $ Total Success Rate Currently Enrolled Graduated Not Enrolled Since Inception 171 $71,657.73 87.13% 21.05% 34.50% 44.44% 2010-2011 Totals 15 $9,260.11 73.33% 0.00% 26.67% 2011-2012 Totals 19 $9,838.65 84.21% 5.26% 47.37% 2012-2013 Totals 32 12,713.43 87.50% 12.50% 25.00% 62.50% 2013-2014 Totals $12,631.35 84.38% 15.63% 43.75% 40.63% 2014-2015 Totals 35 $14,294.32 91.43% 17.14% 51.43% 31.43% 2015-2016 Totals 24 $6,506.17 45.83% 33.33% 2016-2017 Totals 16 $6,413.70 56.25% 18.75% .   

Program Outcomes The pre-intervention GPA for emergency fund recipients was 2.87 and the post intervention GPA is 2.84. This is another success because, despite extenuating circumstances in at least one semester, these students are successfully maintaining their GPA’s. It’s also worth noting that the average GPA for one full year (summer, fall and spring) of the entire student body was 2.79.  Our  Emergency Fund recipients, as a group, have a higher GPA than the full student body.

Program Outcomes Since Inception   Success Rate 87.13% Graduated 33.76% Currently Enrolled 34.50% Not Enrolled 44.44% To date, 59 recipients of the Emergency Fund have gone on to graduate. Of those, 5 participated in the most recent Graduation Ceremony at the end of Spring 2017. There are 7 recipients of the Emergency Fund who are scheduled to participate in the Graduation Ceremony at the end of Spring 2018. We have also introduced the Benefit Bank to applicants. The Benefit Bank is an online screen tool that helps students identify possible benefits offered through other community agencies they may have otherwise not been aware of.

Questions?