PROJECT STATUS: ASSESSMENT

At PSU, there is currently not a streamlined, single process for students to request emergency aid. Current processes have different intake, eligibility, and access points which results in inequity. At times, a hardship request is completed, only to find that the student is not eligible based on their financial aid award. Meanwhile, multiple solutions (spreadsheets, paper forms, email, and databases) are used to move the request along. Finally, there is no visible centralized way for students to initiate a request. This project seeks to create a student-centered, equitable process that improves access, removes barriers and stigma, and fosters connection to campus supports and resources. 

Accomplished

  • Since launching in Winter 2023, 1,184 students have been awarded a total of $832,600 in emergency or hardship funds 
    • Average persistence rate of 93%
  • Revisions to application to make a universal application now being used by the School of Business and Basic Needs Hub
  • Defined terms for emergency aid and ongoing hardship based on new Federal guidelines for 24/25 AY
  • Student Survey completed for second year in a row
    • 75 percent of emergency aid recipients feel like they belong at PSU; a rate nearly 25 percent higher than our overall undergraduate population (2024 Student Experience Survey)
    • Emergency aid recipients felt strongly that PSU cares about their success and understands students unique challenges
  • Basic Needs Hub staff has been fully onboarded and is managing review and awarding of Emergency Aid.

In Progress

  • Encourage and assist other departments with Emergency or Hardship Funds to move their fund(s) to Scholarship Universe.
  • Move OSS Remission Funds to Scholarship Universe.

Project Team

Project Lead: Andrea Garrity
Project Coordinator: Beth Harris
Team: Matt Knauss, Beth Harris, Lee Phillips