1. Life Got in the Way - Implementing an Effective Emergency Aid Program to Keep Students Enrolled
NASPA 2017: San Antonio, Texas
Amy Diepenbrock, Ph.D.
Jan Lloyd-Lesley, Ph.D.
Andy Wilson, Ph.D.
Title: Life Got in the Way - Implementing an Effective Emergency Aid Program to Keep Students Enrolled
Abstract
Low income students often tell you “life got in the way” when asked why they dropped out so an emergency aid program that provides funding for academic and non-academic needs can keep students enrolled when unexpected emergencies arise. This session will discuss how to implement an emergency aid program by sharing three colleges’ different initiatives to assist and retain students. Presenters will discuss the different types of emergency aid as well as the funding and infrastructure needed for such programs.

2. Learning Outcomes
Participants will learn about different types of emergency aid programs.
Participants will learn about three different emergency aid programs at varying institutions including funding and infrastructure.
Participants will learn effective strategies for implementing an emergency aid program at their institution.

3. Emergency Aid Types
Campus voucher
Retention/Completion grants
Emergency loans
Food pantries
Restricted and unrestricted grants
Community resources

4. Emory University Private research university; 15,000 students
Type of Emergency Aid: Hardship Grant
Length of Time in Existence: 2011
Responsible Department: Financial Aid
Number of Students Served Annually: 25
Average Aid Distributed Annually: Max $500

5. Emory University Private research university; 15,000 students
Budget: At least, $10,000 from endowment
Primary Communication Methods: Web site, student intervention services

6. Seminole State College of Florida Public two-year; 29,000 students
Type of Emergency Aid: Community Resources & Unrestricted short-term grants
Length of Time in Existence: Since fall 2015
Responsible Department: Partnership with United Way of Central Florida/Student Affairs
Number of Students Served Annually: 332 connected to community resources; 75 funded

7. Seminole State College of Florida Public two-year; 29,000 students
Average Aid Distributed Annually: $788
Budget: $60,000 initial Lumina grant; $45,000 grant and foundation funds
Primary Communication Methods: Advising & Counseling referrals, s and marketing

8. Demographics Average Age 29 (Range 18- 55) Gender Female: 70%
Transgender: 1%
Race/ Ethnicity
Black/African American: 56%
White/ Caucasian: 24%
Hispanic or Latino: 17%
Multicultural: 3%
Employment Status
Part-Time: 33%
Full-Time: 31%
Unemployed: 35%
Self-Employed: 1%
Enrollment Status
Full-Time: 61%
Part-Time: 36%
Not Currently Enrolled: 3%
Eligibility
Pell Eligible: 89%
First-Generation: 76%
Veteran: 8%
Household Type
Single (No Children): 45%
Single (w/ Children): 41%
Married (w/ Children): 9%
Married (No Children): 4%
Referral Source
Counselor/ Advisor: 57%
Faculty/ Staff: 19%
Word of Mouth: 14%
/ Marketing: 10%

9. Seminole State College of Florida Public two-year; 29,000 students
Emergency assistance funded: Housing & utilities (41%), financial aid gaps (39%), transportation (6%)
Re-Enrollment Rates
Student Served %
Students only 62%
Students Not Served 61%
Low Income Students at SSC 68%

10. Type of Emergency Aid: Emergency Loan/Unrestricted grant
University of the Incarnate Word School of Pharmacy
Private, Faith Based; 11,000 students (400 Pharmacy)
Type of Emergency Aid: Emergency Loan/Unrestricted grant
Length of Time in Existence: 2007
Responsible Department: Pharmacy Student Affairs
Number of Students Served Annually:15-20

11. Average Aid Distributed Annually: $10,000 Budget: ~$20,000
University of the Incarnate Word School of Pharmacy
Private, Faith Based; 11,000 students (400 Pharmacy)
Average Aid Distributed Annually: $10,000
Budget: ~$20,000
Primary Communication Methods: Orientation, Pharmacy Office of Student Affairs, Word of Mouth

12. Effective Strategies for Implementing
Know your students
Set up and streamline administrative functions
Identify funding resources (i.e. student fees, financial aid fees, auxiliary, foundation)
Coordinate across units – educate & engage faculty, work with financial aid
Consider privacy
Work with development and external partners
Marketing (e.g., web site, flyers)

13. Resources
Emergency Grant: Closing Report and Best Practices. Wisconsin HOPE Lab: Madison, WI
Dachelet, K. & Goldrick-Rab, S. (2015). Investing in Student Completion: Overcoming Financial Barriers to Retention Through Small-Dollar Grants and Emergency Aid Programs. Wisconsin HOPE Lab: Madison, WI
Duke-Benfield, A. E. & Saunders, K. Benefits Access for College Completion: Lessons Learned from a Community College Initiative to Help Low-Income Students. Center for Postsecondary and Economic Success.
Emergency Aid: Help Students Weather the Unexpected. Leadership Exchange, v. 14 issue 2, Summer 2016.

14. Resources
Foiling the drop-out trap: Completion grant practices for retaining and graduating students. Coalition for Urban Serving Universities. Association of Public and Land-Grant Universities.
Kruger, K., Parnell, A. & Wesaw, A. (2016). Landscape Analysis of Emergency Aid Programs. NASPA: Washington DC
Orozco, V. & Mayo, L. Keeping students enrolled: How community colleges are boosting financial resources for students. Demos: NY
Scholarship America, Dreamkeepers, Emergency Financial Assistance Program Implementation Guide

15. Contact Us
Amy Diepenbrock:
Jan Lloyd:
Andy Wilson: