UHV creates new relief fund to support students
The University of Houston-Victoria is launching a new Emergency Aid Fund to help students deal with unforeseen expenses that may make them miss classes or fall behind in their studies.
“We don’t want students to have to make a choice between pursuing their studies or dealing with sudden and unexpected problems,” said Jay Lambert, UHV vice president for Student Affairs and chair of the Emergency Aid Fund. “We know life can be unpredictable, and this fund will be yet another tool that our students can use to stay on track and not worry about what life throws their way.”
The emergency aid will provide a quick response to an immediate issue – such as a stolen laptop or dead car battery – that will hinder students trying to attend classes and earn their degrees. There is a cap of $300 for each grant, and the money will be paid directly to the vendor assisting with the issue.
For example, a student with a dead car battery who depends on their vehicle to get to class could apply for assistance. Once his application is processed, the university would use the funds to pay a business to replace the car battery. The goal is to offer quick assistance, and students will receive a response to their applications within three business days, Lambert said.
“The UHV Relief Fund that was created to help our students recover from Hurricane Harvey taught us a lot about the needs of our students,” he said. “Although Harvey had a massive impact, we also learned that sometimes even a single unexpected expense, like an unfixable flat tire or a stolen bag, can become a major issue.”
To apply for the fund, students must be enrolled in at least six credit hours and have an emergency need that could result in the student leaving school or delaying completion of their degree. Students can apply for aid through the JagSync website.
Ineligible requests mainly include school expenses such as parking fines, tuition, books, supplies or equipment for classes. In some situations, the fund’s committee will help students find other resources that can help with their issues, Lambert said. For example, a student requesting money for groceries likely would be directed to the food pantry, JP’s Market.
“This fund is an important tool for UHV and its students,” UHV President Bob Glenn said. “Our students come from all walks of life, and we want to do everything we can to help them accomplish their academic goals. They are not just students. They are part of the UHV family.”
For more information about the fund or a link to the application, go to www.uhv.edu/student-affairs/emergency-funds or contact Lambert at 361-570-4290 or lambertj1@uhv.edu.
The University of Houston-Victoria, located in the heart of the Coastal Bend region since 1973 in Victoria, Texas, offers courses leading to more than 80 academic programs in the schools of Arts & Sciences; Business Administration; and Education, Health Professions & Human Development. UHV provides face-to-face classes at its Victoria campus, as well as an instructional site in Katy, Texas, and online classes that students can take from anywhere. UHV supports the American Association of State Colleges and Universities Opportunities for All initiative to increase awareness about state colleges and universities and the important role they have in providing a high-quality and accessible education to an increasingly diverse student population, as well as contributing to regional and state economic development.
