Rock Island Today

More than 2,000 students have received emergency assistance from the Western Illinois University Student Emergency Fund to assist them during the ongoing COVID-19 crisis.

According to QuadCities.com, the fund was established in April. The WIU Foundation matched $25,000 for the fund and WIU raised more than $114,000 during its Western Purple and Gold Day of Caring on April 24. The money that was raised, plus money from the federal CARES Act, has provided nearly $3 million in funding to 2,091 of the university's students.

“I want to say thank you for setting up this emergency care fund," a grant beneficiary told WIU officials. “I’ve said this in every email and I’m going to say it again, I am incredibly thankful the university offered this and you all really came through and helped me keep going.”

According to QuadCities.com, the grants that are given to the students never have to be repaid. Bobbi Smith, interim director of the Office of Financial Aid, said applications may re-open during the summer.

WIU interim President Martin Abraham highlighted how the coronavirus has disrupted the lives of many students, and said the university is thankful for all the fund donors.

“COVID-19 created financial challenges and disruptions for many of our students,” Abraham told QuadCities.com. "It was our goal to do all we could to ease the added pressures our students have been facing. We are so appreciative of our wonderful donors and the WIU Foundation for spearheading this campaign to provide the necessary funding for our students."

Students who have received aid said they hope to remember when it is their turn to assist those in need. 

“Thank you so much for helping me. I’m literally crying right now as I write this. I’ve been so stressed about finances and the help you have provided me helps alleviate that so much,” another recipient said. “Someday, when I have the capacity, I hope to return the favor. Just, thank you.”