According to the National Center for Education Statistics, nearly a third of all college students in the United States have household incomes below the poverty line, and 79 percent of students work either part-time or full-time while taking classes. What things are being done at Elizabethtown College to help with poverty?
Much of the help for low-income students comes from the Financial Aid Office and the Business Office, which work with students and families to assist with the cost of college.
There are various institutional scholarships and grants available for students who demonstrate financial need, such as the Trustee Grant, which is just one of dozens of endowed scholarships funded by donors. There are also federal grants offered to students with need, such as the Federal Pell Grant or the Pennsylvania State Grant (PHEAA).
On the Financial Aid Office’s page on the College’s website, students can also find resources for outside scholarships and aid to help offset the cost of attending college.
“We want to make sure students apply for scholarships and grants, and hit the deadlines to actually get help,” Director of Financial Aid Melodie Jackson said. “If at any time there’s a problem, students can come into the Financial Aid Office and meet with their financial aid counselor for help.”
Even with financial aid, meeting the payment deadlines can be difficult for low-income families. The standard bill payment plan generally lasts from June to March, with rigid times for when bills are due.
However, the Business Office can find solutions that fit for low-income families on a case-by-case basis. Sometimes this entails extending the payment plan by a couple of months, so it lasts from June to May. Being able to spread out the payments a little more can make an impact in a student’s ability to pay for college.
Beyond financial aid and the payment of bills, Etown has several programs to help students from low-income families. One such program is the Momentum Program, which introduces first generation college students and minority students to college before orientation and offers them support throughout their first year of college.
Help for low-income students can also be found in Residence Life. Students who are unable to travel home for breaks due to financial costs are allowed to stay on campus.
Alternatively, Campus Security can give students rides to both the Elizabethtown train station or to the Harrisburg International Airport to help alleviate the cost of travel.
In addition, if a student must withdraw from the College for financial reasons, Etown will hold their spot and housing assignment for the year. This allows students to be able to be where they want to be on campus if they are able to return to the College later.
“We try to work together as a team in the campus wellness network, and we do try to utilize that network and stay connected in student life and provide individual support as needed,” Director of Residence Life and Associate Dean of Students Allison Bridgeman said.
One little-known support offered by the College is the FASE Fund, or the Fund to Aid Students of Elizabethtown. Once during students’ careers at Etown, they can apply to the FASE Fund for help with emergency, temporary and unexpected expenses.
Examples of things the FASE Fund could be used for include child care expenses, clothing, emergency-related travel and many other things unrelated to financial aid administration. More information about the FASE Fund can be found on the Chaplain and Religious Life Office’s webpage.
Many colleges around the country have begun to open food pantries on campus to help with student hunger, a prominent issue for students from low-income families. When students are going hungry, doing well in their classes becomes much more difficult, especially when considering that many of these students are also working.
Currently, Etown does not have an on-campus food bank to help students. However, there is a food bank in Elizabethtown, called the Community Cupboard of Elizabethtown, a short walk from campus.
“We aren’t sure if [a food pantry] is something that is needed here, but if there is a need for a food bank on campus, it could be good to collaborate with other departments to see what can be done,” Bridgeman said.
