University of Detroit Mercy has launched a crowdfunding initiative titled Support Our Scholars, which raises funds for the expendable scholarships at the University. This fund assists students who are struggling to fulfill basic needs and help them remain in college given unforeseen life circumstances they may experience.
This critical fundraising campaign began Monday and runs through March 5.
Anita-Joyce Barnes, assistant director of Annual Giving at Detroit Mercy, says funds raised through this initiative often determine whether a good student is able to remain at the University, given the specific life circumstance they may be experiencing.
“Sometimes even the best students run into issues during their young lives that could put their ability to stay in college in jeopardy,” she explained. “But through this scholarship fund supported by the crowdfunding effort, we hope to increase the University’s ability to assist these students through difficult periods and help them stay on track to complete their program of study.”
The Support Our Scholars crowdfunding initiative web site provides more details as well as video information, which donors can access at https://impact.udmercy.edu/supportourscholars.
The “Support Our Scholars” crowdfunding effort will raise funds to support the following scholarships:
- Completion scholarships: These scholarships cover for students who find themselves ineligible for institutional scholarship renewal and have exhausted loan options. For example, this fund provides financial assistance to seniors who are eligible to graduate and have outstanding balances and gives financial assistance to students in five-year programs.
- Subliminal scholarships: This scholarship provides financial assistance to students who do not qualify for federal aid or loans, may not qualify for need-based scholarships and who may not meet merit-based, donor-supported scholarships criteria.
- Unexpected life events scholarships: These scholarships offer financial assistance for students whose personal (or family member) medical expenses have impacted their financial resources, as well as financial assistance for students (or their parents) who are suddenly unemployed.
Barnes noted that through the generous contributions of Detroit Mercy alumni and friends during 2016-17 academic year, students received approximately $60,000 from the expendable scholarship fund. For the 2017-2018 academic year, more than $46,000 has been distributed to needy students thus far. On average, scholarships range from $500 – $10,000.
The importance of this fund is immeasurable. For Detroit Mercy junior Angel Rose Hollobaugh of Lincoln Park, without this fund, she would not be able to earn her college degree and work toward her educational and life goals. Her mother works full-time and as a single parent following the passing of her husband, Hollobaugh’s family is unable to support her college education at this time.
“I am grateful from the bottom of my heart for this scholarship,” Hollobaugh said. “I hesitated coming to Detroit Mercy since I didn’t have any money, but I am so glad that I did. I received work-study, but I needed to use each penny toward my bills. I have a 3.92 GPA and I want to one day help my community and the Detroit community, as well as attend graduate school. Without this scholarship, I don’t think I could ever meet any of these goals.”
Donors may also learn more about how they can help other Detroit Mercy students like Angel Rose Hollobaugh overcome difficult circumstances and remain on track to complete their degree by contacting Anita-Joyce Barnes at 313-578-0329 or barnesaj@udmercy.edu.
