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College of DuPage Foundation raises nearly $100,000 for COVID-19 Student Relief Fund

College of DuPage students facing financial challenges due to COVID-19 have increased access to financial support through the COVID-19 Student Relief Fund, a new financial aid program created by the College of DuPage Foundation, in coordination with the College of DuPage Office of Institutional Advancement.

The foundation has raised nearly $100,000 and continues to raise funds to provide crucial support to students during this challenging time. Averaging 30 new applications each day, the foundation has received approximately 220 qualified applications and awarded more than $37,000 to 127 students in need, with nearly 100 applications currently in process.

Funds raised include two generous dollar-to-dollar donation matches provided by the Shebik family of Wheaton, as well as a $20,000 grant from the DuPage Foundation.

"During this crisis, many of our students are facing considerable financial challenges and need additional support," said College President Dr. Brian Caputo. "The COD Foundation's ability to bring the community together to respond to this critical need quickly and decisively is one of the many things that makes College of DuPage so special as we work to provide our students the support and resources they need to succeed."

Designed to be adaptable to students' needs, the COVID-19 Student Relief Fund provides aid for a variety of student expenses, including educational-related costs as students move to online classes; food, toiletries and medications; and unmet costs due to loss of employment. The foundation reports that more than 60 percent of applicants are seeking funds to help pay for essentials of life such as food, medicine and utilities.

"Each applicant has a different story of how COVID-19 is impacting them," said COD Foundation Executive Director Karen Kuhn. "Many work in retail or the food industry and have been hit hard and as the crisis continues they need help, oftentimes with basic expenses."

Preparing to graduate this year with her associate degree in General Studies before pursuing additional coursework to become a surgical technologist, COD student Kimberly Prusak said the fund has helped her through a challenging time.

"The Student Relief Fund has truly helped me as a student," she said. "It has been a rough transition emotionally and mentally during this time. After being laid off from work on March 16, I was questioning how I would be able to pay my student tuition and other bills within my household."

She said that despite the hardship, COVID-19 has provided opportunities to set an example for her daughters.

"As a single mom of two daughters, ages 19 and 17, it is important to me to teach them responsibility and about what it means to persevere in difficult seasons," she said. "My girls have learned that it is not about what takes place all around us, but how we manage ourselves as individuals, and knowing that we will pull through."

Interim Vice President of Institutional Advancement Walter Johnson said the foundation is working diligently to safeguard the health and well-being of the entire College of DuPage family.

"During this crisis, it is especially critical to support our students by ensuring they complete their coursework and meet their educational goals," he said. "To that end, we created the COVID-19 Student Relief Fund, which will provide immediate financial support to COD students in need during this challenging time."

For more information and to donate, visit foundation.cod.edu/covid19.

For more information and to apply for funding, visit foundation.cod.edu/covid19relief.

The College of DuPage Foundation, established in 1967, provides for the educational development and welfare of the college and its students. Its mission is to obtain and steward philanthropic contributions to expand educational and cultural opportunities for the College of DuPage community. For information, visit foundation.cod.edu.

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