Photo courtesy of Xavier University | The Dash Grant is a $1,000 emergency grant now available to domestic Xavier students who have submitted a FAFSA for the 2017-18 school year.
You stand in front of the microwave, eagerly anticipating a warm bag of popcorn to snack on while you study for your history exam. As you sit down and begin to passively eat the popcorn while focusing on the riveting subjects of McCarthyism and Trickle Down Economics, you suddenly feel a sharp pain shoot through your mouth. You’ve chipped a tooth, and you have no idea how you’re going to pay to have it fixed.
Xavier University has been approved for an emergency grant, the Dash Grant, funded by Great Lakes Higher Education Corporation, an organization that facilitates student loans, and the Division of Student Enrollment. Funds are available for a one-time occurrence over a two-year period (2017-2018) for undergraduate students with an Expected Family Contribution (EFC) of $7,000 or less. This is based upon the 2017-18 FAFSA and thus is limited to those students who have submitted it.
According to Xavier’s website, “The goal of the grant money is to increase retention and completion rates as part of Xavier’s overall student success.”
But what happens if the FAFSA wasn’t available to you in the first place? Many international students find themselves limited by their status as international students. If you are unable to submit the FAFSA, you are unable to apply for the grant. However, the Center for International Education (CIE) noted that this restriction of funds is as a result of Great Lakes Higher Education Corporation, not Xavier.
Instead, Xavier’s Office of Student Affairs has also provided an emergency fund that is available to international students.
“This is one of the many things Xavier does to take care of its students,” first-year Stephanie Athanasoulis said. “It’s nice to know that Xavier is able to provide financial security to any student who is in need of financial assistance.”
Emergencies covered under the Dash Grant include housing, rent, food, medical expenses, dental expenses, transportation needs and child care. Some school expenses such as tuition, fees, books, computers, parking permits and fines are not covered.
A maximum grant of $1,000 can be awarded, but amounts are determined on a case-to-case basis and require proof of emergency. Do you or someone you know fit these requirements? Follow the steps on Xavier’s website to apply:
1. Explain the nature of the emergency to a representative in the Student Success Center (SSC), in CLC 530 to ensure that it meets the criteria for consideration.
2. Be recommended by SSC to apply for the emergency grant. If not approved, the student will be encouraged to reach out to the Office of Student Financial Assistance.
3. If approved by the SSC, you will need to submit an application to Great Lakes by clicking here. Students are notified of acceptance within two business days of application submission, followed by approved amount sent to the vendor or business on your behalf. You will be required to upload estimates or receipts as part of the application process.
By: Brittany Wells ~Staff Writer~