Hardship Scholarship Case Statement

Meeting new friends, maintaining a solid GPA, landing a summer internship, declaring a major, making the team - these are the things students worry about. On top of all that, they worry about how to pay for tuition, fees, books, food and transportation to get to school daily. And that’s a lot of worry. For many St. Thomas students, paying for college is a challenge even without a worldwide pandemic going on. And now? Magnify the difficulty a thousand times. However, there is always an upside. You. With your support, we can provide undergraduate, graduate and international students with hardship scholarships to ensure they stay in school, earn their degrees and enter the workforce. Scholarships are the great equalizer, opening the door for students of promise.

#1 reason for withdrawal from college is financial need

77% of college students nationally say Covid-19 has reduced their ability to earn money for college.

WAYS TO TURN IT AROUND In a normal year, as many as 500 St. Thomas students experience financial problems due to their own or a parent’s health, job loss or other unexpected situations. Suddenly they are unable to cover their tuition and other college expenses. With rising unemployment brought on by the pandemic, we expect to see a 50 percent increase in students who experience financial hardships this year. And while students’ financial hardships used to average $5,000, the average need may rise to $7,500 per student. Bottom line? We need your help to raise an additional $5 million by Dec. 31, 2020. 5 mi l

l l ion 21% of St. Thomas students are Pell grant eligible, meaning they have high financial need 50% increase in hardship scholarship requests is anticipated with COVID-19

indebted, but not FOR

A wave of financial hardship is expected to hit students this fall and beyond. In the midst of a struggling economy, students will need a degree to enter the competitive workforce. Now, more than ever, you can make a difference for undergraduate and graduate students who have increased financial burdens. We must work together to stop students from dropping out with debt and no degree. Your gift – at any level – will help new and current students immerse themselves in the transformative St. Thomas education, so they can become morally responsible leaders who will make the world a better place.

REVER IN DEBT

10.2% Nationally, unemployment is

As of July 2020,

unemployment in Minnesota hit 7.7%

tommies together

“If scholarship support shows a student that someone cares about them, someone wants them to go to school, imagine - just imagine what that could do.” -Erin ‘22

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