$39,700 Grant Supports Student Emergency Fund at CLC

Central Lakes College now has additional resources to help low-income students weather financial emergencies. Students can apply for small grants to help cover expenses just beyond their means, which allows them to quickly return focus to their academic pursuits.

“We are excited to receive this grant as it will make a big difference in the lives of our students,” said Nick Heisserer, director of Enrollment Services at CLC. “While CLC is one of the most affordable destinations for students, college is still expensive. This Dash Program will allow students to receive emergency funding that they need to stay in school and complete their degrees.”

The student emergency grant program at CLC is made possible by a $39,700 Dash emergency grant from Great Lakes Higher Education Guaranty Corporation. CLC is one of 31 community and technical colleges in Iowa, Minnesota, Ohio and Wisconsin that received a combined $1.5 million in Great Lakes grants to build emergency grant programs that help low-income students overcome financial obstacles that might otherwise cause them to drop out.

“Great Lakes is pleased to provide more resources to colleges like CLC that are dedicated to supporting students in times of greatest need,” said Richard D. George, President and Chief Executive Officer of Great Lakes. “Emergency grants are a bridge to college completion and the financial security a degree can provide.”

CLC will begin making student emergency grants of up to $500 each in spring 2016. Qualified expenses will be paid within 48 hours of an approved application. Students also will be referred to additional campus, community, and financial literacy resources to supplement the grants, address root causes or contributing factors to the financial emergencies, and further support students’ persistence.

To serve greater numbers of students throughout the Great Lakes grant period and beyond, CLC will contribute matching funds during the 2016-2017 and 2017-2018 academic years. “Our shared commitment is key to making emergency grant programs sustainable long-term,” said Amy Kerwin, Vice President – Community Investments at Great Lakes.

If you would like to help contribute to this program, please contact the CLC Foundation at foundation@clcmn.edu or call 218-855-8135.