Students, no matter their life experiences, are typically in need of financial assistance. Whether it’s for food, housing, medical needs, textbooks or childcare, college students must find ways to make ends meet while keeping their grades up. As with many things, COVID-19 made this more difficult. 

In order to combat financial issues, Madison College will be giving funds to those needing assistance. Students who completed a FAFSA will be awarded money automatically, but all students can apply. Some will receive $750 while others will get $500 based on their FAFSA eligibility. 

At some colleges and universities, students must be enrolled in a minimum of six credits in order to receive the funds. However, that is not the case at Madison College. In the last year, it changed from being available to only degree seeking students to being available to those enrolled in one credit. 

“Since any student due to the pandemic could have a financial challenge, so we want to make sure, regardless of credit level, that all students could have access to funding and receive support,” said Keyimani Alford, Dean of Student Success and Access.  

The money being awarded to students was made possible with COVID grants over the past two years. The fund was at $5 million at the beginning of the spring semester, with it already down to $2 million.  However, this will likely be the final semester these specific funds are available unless the Department of Education gives more funding. 

However, financial assistance will still be available to students after the federal money is gone. Madison College will continue to have its emergency grant program. It won’t be a similar amount of money, but there will still be support for students in need.  

“It’s just a matter of applying and not feeling ashamed to seek assistance because that’s what the funding is there for it to help them as they go through as far as their academic journey while here at Madison College,” said Alford.