Short-term financial aid now available for domestic, international students
George Brown College and the College's Student Association have partnered to bring much needed support to students affected by the evolving COVID-19 pandemic. Launched today, the Student COVID-19 Relief Fund will help domestic and international students who are in urgent financial need.
"This is an unprecedented situation, one that has created financial hardship for many in our community. We know that some students have lost their jobs, have no way to pay their rent, or even to purchase food," says Anne Sado, President, George Brown College. "We have launched this fund to help ease their hardships and alleviate some of their anxiety so they can focus on their education."
The fund will provide short-term support to students coping with financial, food or housing insecurity, income loss due to unemployment and other unexpected financial hardships that may have presented themselves due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
"We sincerely care about all of our members and we understand that times are tough, and might be for a while. We hope that this fund will provide some financial relief and lift our members spirit during this unprecedented time," says The Student Association Board of Directors, Executives.
The COVID-19 Relief Fund currently stands at more than $850,000 - made possible through a partnership between the George Brown Student Association, George Brown Foundation, the college, as well as the Government of Ontario's recent emergency investment in higher education to support student success.
In order to apply for the fund, students must be enrolled in a full-time program for the Winter 2020 semester and must complete an application form that includes a budget declaration and a brief narrative of how COVID-19 has impacted their financial situation.
The George Brown College Foundation is aiming to increase the fund to $1M and is encouraging online donations. Members of the public and college community can donate to the COVID-19 Relief Fund at https://www.georgebrown.ca/giving/
In addition to establishing the COVID-19 Relief Fund, George Brown has donated food to Second Harvest, as well as personal protective equipment and supplies to several Toronto hospitals. To help combat the issue of food access, the College's Student Association has also established the Student Nutrition Access Program - an initiative that provides e-Gift cards to students who are experiencing financial hardships or food insecurity.
