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Douglas College offers emergency funding for students during COVID-19

Douglas College is offering emergency funding to students in need during the COVID-19 pandemic. The college’s emergency fund, which is there to help students facing financial hardship, now stands at $600,000.
Douglas College
Douglas College is offering emergency financial aid to students hit by the COVID-19 crisis.

Douglas College is offering emergency funding to students in need during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The college’s emergency fund, which is there to help students facing financial hardship, now stands at $600,000.

The emergency fund has received a boost of $460,000 of newly designated support, including contributions from the Ministry of Advanced Education, Douglas Students Union and the college’s foundation and alumni relations, as well as matching donations from Douglas College and Douglas College International. 

“This is an unprecedented situation, one that creates financial challenges for many of our students,” says Dr. Kathy Denton, president of Douglas College, in a press release. “We are grateful for the support of the ministry and the Douglas Students’ Union in helping us provide some financial relief to students.”

Domestic and international students enrolled in the winter or summer semesters who need immediate short-term financial relief should reach out to an adviser at financialaid@douglascollege.ca to review their individual need.

Mitchel Gamayo, director of external relations of the Douglas Students’ Union, noted students are facing uncertainty and increased financial difficulties in the face of job losses.

“The Douglas Students’ Union's gift of $100,000 towards emergency aid funding will support those who are impacted with unforeseen hardship,” he said. “We hope this will help alleviate some of the anxiety and stress students are feeling in this uncertain time.”

Leanne Poon, executive director of the Douglas College Foundation, plans to build the fund to help even more Douglas students in need.

“Our goal is to increase the fund to $1 million through donations from community partners, contractors, corporate donors and others who are looking for ways to support our students,” she said in the release.

Initial allocations from the newly created fund are expected to handed out through the office of the registrar.