Carlow University issued the following announcement.
Carlow University has received a $210,000 challenge grant from the Richard King Mellon Foundation to support and retain students facing hardships brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic. Carlow will raise the matching funds from donors, alumni, and other sources. The Richard King Mellon Foundation grant and matching funds will add significantly to the University’s ability to further support its students.
“The COVID-19 pandemic has had a very significant impact on Carlow University and the undergraduate and graduate students we serve,” said Suzanne K. Mellon, PhD, president of Carlow University. “We are grateful to the Richard King Mellon Foundation for understanding the challenges students and universities are confronting and their rapid response in a global pandemic to assure students are able to continue their education. These funds will allow Carlow to assist a larger number of students with emergency support for tuition, room and board, and technology needs.”
Before the pandemic, 47 percent of Carlow’s undergraduate students were eligible to receive PELL grants; these student’s families are unable to contribute financially to their education. Additionally, 92 percent of Carlow’s undergraduates receive institutional aid for tuition and fees.
While the majority of the grant funds will assist students, a small percentage will be reserved for the numerous expenses associated with the shift to more remote and virtual learning, such as systems and computer upgrades, cameras for video conferencing, and the significant inventory of personal protective equipment needed to provide a safe campus environment.
When the pandemic first began, Carlow received many requests from alumni and friends asking how they might help. To date, more than 550 students have received emergency support. The average request from students is less than $2,000, but can be the deciding factor in whether or not a student can return to school. Many students, and their parents, have experienced job losses during the pandemic and are experiencing financial difficulty.
“Carlow is extending students as much support as possible and will continue to do so,” said Dr. Mellon. “The funding from the Richard King Mellon Foundation will have a meaningful impact on our ability to help students as we continue to navigate this unprecedented health crisis.”
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