Help College Students Affected by Natural Disasters Stay in School

MINNEAPOLIS, Sept. 28, 2017 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Scholarship America is calling for donations to replenish its National Disaster Relief Fund, which provides financial assistance to help college students experiencing disaster-related hardships stay in school.

"Preliminary estimates from Moody's Analytics report costs associated with Hurricanes Harvey and Irma at between $150 and $200 billion.  CNN Money reports a conservative early estimate for Maria at $30 billion," said Robert C. Ballard, president and CEO of Scholarship America.  "Those estimates consider disruptions to businesses, increased unemployment, damage to infrastructure, crop losses, property damage and higher fuel prices.  One cost not often cited is the impact on college students who are already struggling to pay for their college educations.

"Scholarship America's goal is to help ensure students are not forced to interrupt their education because of financial hardships created by natural disasters," Ballard said.  "The need has never been greater.  We are working now to help students in Texas and Louisiana, and need your help to do the same for those impacted by Hurricanes Irma and Maria and other natural disasters to come."

With almost 300 postsecondary schools in federally declared disaster areas in Florida and another 130 schools in Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands, thousands of students potentially need help in order to stay in school.   

Organizations and individuals who want to contribute to Scholarship America's National Disaster Relief Fund can donate at donations.scholarshipamerica.org. Select National Disaster Relief Fund from the drop down menu. 

Scholarship America's National Disaster Relief Fund was established in 2005 to help students affected by Hurricane Katrina and three other hurricanes that year.  Scholarship America works with postsecondary school financial aid offices to ensure dollars go to the students in most need to help with tuition, fees, books, supplies, room and board or other education-related expenses.

About Scholarship America
For nearly 60 years, Scholarship America has worked directly with students, parents, colleges, businesses and communities to empower people to fulfill their college dreams. As the nation's largest private education support organization, having distributed over $3.7 billion to more than 2.3 million students, Scholarship America is now working to further engage the private sector to support programs and policies that advance equity in postsecondary education and help students overcome barriers to access, persistence and attainment. More information is available at scholarshipamerica.org or by following @scholamerica.

SOURCE Scholarship America

Related Links

http://www.scholarshipamerica.org