The Great Lakes Higher Education Corporation and Affiliates has awarded The University of Toledo a two-year, $420,000 grant to help low-income students who experience a financial emergency, such as an unexpected car repair or medical bill, focus on their studies and stay in college.

The Dash Emergency Grant allows UT to provide emergency grants for up to $1,000 per student to help pay for unexpected costs within 48 hours of the approved application.

UT is one of 32 four-year colleges in six states to be awarded $7.2 million in grant funding.

A student must meet income eligibility guidelines in order to receive a Dash Emergency Grant.

“Life is full of unexpected challenges and this grant provides another tool for us to help students through those emergencies so we can keep them in the classroom and on the path to graduation,” UT President Sharon L. Gaber said.

Dr. Michele Soliz, UT assistant vice president for student success and inclusion, focuses on strategic retention initiatives and will serve as program director.

“I’m excited we received this highly competitive award,” Soliz said. “Lack of financial aid is a main reason for not completing a degree. These funds will help students who find themselves in extreme circumstances that otherwise could mean the end of college. We will work collaboratively with partners across campus to make sure students are aware of these resources.”

The UT Office of Multicultural and Student Success is hosting information sessions in July and August about how the application process works. The program will begin providing grants to students in fall 2017.

Since 2012, Great Lakes Higher Education Corporation and Affiliates has committed $3 million to fund emergency grant programs at two-year colleges. This is the first time Great Lakes is providing Dash Emergency Grants to four-year colleges in Arkansas, Iowa, Minnesota, North Dakota, Ohio and Wisconsin.

“We’re pleased to extend our emergency grant program to four-year colleges dedicated to helping low-income students overcome financial obstacles,” said Richard D. George, president and chief executive officer of Great Lakes. “In addition to helping more students progress to degree completion, we look forward to learning the nuances between programs at two-year and four-year colleges and sharing that knowledge with other institutions looking to establish emergency grant programs.”

For more information, go to community.mygreatlakes.org/community/press-releases/issues/170615.