The pandemic has dramatically impacted WSU students.
Financial emergencies related to housing, food, health care, and materials required for the current online instruction environment are prevalent. Between March and September of 2020, more than 400 emergency requests were fulfilled. University funds across the WSU system were depleted multiple times to accommodate students’ needs.
Impacts have been dramatic, regardless of socioeconomic circumstances. Unemployment, both on and off-campus, has directly affected all student groups, from domestic and international to graduate and undergraduate. Unemployment, and reduction of employment, have also impacted families and those who financially support students.
The need for emergency funding is ongoing and urgent. Your support of the Student Emergency Fund will help reduce financial burdens felt by students and allow them to focus on completing their degrees.
Our Cougs Need Your Support Today.
Cougs Feeding Cougs
At any given moment in time, there are WSU students who are concerned about where their next meal will come from. It is estimated that nearly half of all college students in the U.S. are insecure about reliable access to food, especially affordable and nutritious food. On an average day, 30 food-insecure students request help from the Cougs Feeding Cougs program. This number increases to 80 a day during peak times of the year. When WSU students do not have resources to buy food, this fund plays a significant role in providing WSU students with nutritious meals, allowing them to focus on their studies instead of where they will get their next meal.
First-Gen@WSU
Nearly 34% of WSU students, across all WSU campuses, identify as first generation. These students are the first in their family to attend a four-year college to attain a bachelor’s degree. WSU is dedicated to serving the ever-growing first-generation population with intention and purpose.
Recently, WSU was nationally acknowledged as a First Forward Institution, an institution prepared to share evidence-based practices and resources, troubleshoot challenges, generate knowledge and continue to advance the success of first-generation students. Approximately 150 universities and colleges across the nation have been granted this acknowledgement. As WSU attracts more first-generation students, there is a pressing need to have quality programs to support them. The university has been a leader in developing new and creative ways to support first‑generation students.
With your support, the Division of Student Affairs can continue to enhance the programs and support services offered to our first-generation students at all WSU campuses. Your investment will open doors of opportunity for our students, equipping them with lifelong skills that will help them achieve their academic, personal, and professional goals.
