Lethbridge College. (Supplied by Lethbridge College)

By David Opinko

Student requests for aid at Lethbridge College more than doubled during pandemic

Jan 18, 2021 | 11:16 AM

LETHBRIDGE, AB – Much like the rest of society, post-secondary students in Lethbridge have been hit hard by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Between fall 2019 and fall 2020, Lethbridge College says the number of emergency funding requests they received from students increased by more than 100 per cent.

Over half of the applications specifically mentioned the pandemic as a contributing factor.

Many students who work during school do so in positions that were affected by Alberta’s COVID-19 restrictions, whether they lost their jobs entirely or had their hours significantly reduced.

This has lead to the college responding to the “unprecedented financial demands and challenges creating during the COVID-19 pandemic.”

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During the fall 2020 semester, the college made $200,000 in emergency funding available to help students make it through the fall and winter terms.

The funding came from a variety of donors and sources, including the Ready to Rise bursary; accessing available donor funds; a gift from the Lethbridge College Students’ Association (LCSA); donations from college employees through both the Pay it Forward 50/50 fund and money raised during a “Dash for Cash” at the college’s virtual holiday party; the Alumni Engagement Office through both the TD Insurance Meloche Monnex alumni matching gift program and a Coca-Cola affinity partnership; and institutional dollars.

“For the students who applied for these bursaries, receiving them is often the difference between being able to continue their educational journey and having to drop out,” says Dr. Paula Burns, Lethbridge College President and CEO. “Financial security dramatically affects mental health and wellness, so it was important that we found a solution to help our students. I thank everyone who has contributed to our college, as that support has a direct effect on student success.”

Registrar Marko Hilgerom says the college’s Student Awards and Financial Aid department works directly with students to identify their needs and what kinds of supports might be useful for them.

“The government COVID relief programs have helped fill some of the funding gaps but they have limitations. By developing [the Ready to Rise bursary], we are able to relieve some of the financial burden from our students through the generosity of our donors. Being a student is stressful during COVID so we are always looking for ways to improve student wellness.”

Ready to Rise was launched in April 2020 and allows the college to address its students’ most pressing needs, whether it be mental health or financial support. It relies heavily on donations from the community.

Those interested in contributing to Ready to Rise can email development.office@lethbridgecollege.ca