COVID-19 Student Relief Fund: Report
Author: Development and Donor Relations
Posted on May 19, 2020
Category: News and Events , Creating Opportunities for Students
Eight weeks ago, UNB President Paul Mazerolle established the COVID-19 Student Relief Fund. Thanks in large part to the generosity of donors like you, $711,163 has already been granted to 2,221 students in need, helping them finish out their semester and in some cases, meet their final degree requirements.
We in Financial Aid have seen the impact of your generosity firsthand, and we want to extend a personal thank you for the difference you have made in these students’ lives.
Because of you, students were able to purchase food and pay rent. They were able to access internet and other key resources needed to complete their studies. Students who were ineligible for government supports received help. Your donation helped meet immediate needs and also restored students’ ability to focus on the future.
We in Financial Aid have learned a lot from this crisis. We have learned that more students have part-time jobs than indicated on past student surveys. We have learned that international students and graduate students were among the most vulnerable groups on our campuses. We have learned than many students still rely on parental income and, when parents lose jobs, student lives are dramatically impacted. This information will help guide us through the remainder of the pandemic, and in assessing future applications for financial aid.
COVID-19 has also reminded us that the UNB community is generous and resilient. Donors like you have buoyed students in the storm, and in turn students have risen to the challenge and accomplished amazing work. It has been a real privilege to see this relationship at play in our office.
Students have written to us, saying “Thank you, this is the hope I needed.” We extend these thanks on to you, our supporters, with much gratitude.
May you stay safe and healthy during these challenging times, and remember that you have made an important difference on our campuses.
Shelley Clayton, Director, Financial Aid, Fredericton campus
Jay LeBlanc, Student Success Advisor, Saint John campus