Due to the pandemic, many students are struggling to pay their bills.
Lethbridge College had to react quickly to make emergency funding available for college students due to the unprecedented demand for support caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Donors have stepped in to help Lethbridge College students, with $200,000 in funding from various sources.
For the college, sources include the Ready to Rise bursary, Lethbridge College Students’ Association and even college employees through both the Pay it Forward 50/50 fund plus Dash for Cash at the college’s virtual holiday party contributed.
The college says student requests for emergency funding increased by more than 100 per cent from fall 2019 to fall 2020, with COVID-19 being a significant factor.
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Restrictions imposed by the Government of Alberta to stop the spread of COVID-19 shut down most businesses, which affected the employment of many post-secondary students who rely on part-time or seasonal jobs to finance their education.
Linda Sprinkle, the manager of student awards and funding, says the $200,000 in sponsorships has been helpful for many students struggling during the pandemic.
“We have numbers of bursary funds, and we took all of them. We had one for students closed to competing in their programs and students with issues during the winter semester,” said Sprinkle.
Due to the pandemic, many students have been struggling with financial difficulties due to job losses and having the extra money from the college will help throughout.
Skye Harding, president of the Lethbridge College Student Association, shared how students struggle financially throughout the pandemic.
“For any student, financial support is also just general support because we’re in such an interesting financial space,” said Harding.
Job hunting in a market with little employment opportunities and stressing about paying their rent takes a toll on many students.
“Two hundred and fifty students have applied, and 160 students have accessed the financial support, and not all students have been fulfilled,” said Harding.
For more information, go to www.lethbridgecollege.ca, or contact Student Awards and Financial Aid on live chat, phone or email.
