MENASHA, Wis.- It's new this year to UW-Fox Valley.
"Little ripples that begin with a small incident can turn into big waves that can disrupt their education," said UW Colleges Northeast Region Dean, Martin Rudd.
The "Success Beyond Barriers" program was started by a donation from the JJ Keller Foundation and it's helping UW-Fox Valley students facing unexpected financial difficulties.
"We see child care needs, emergency child care needs, we also have needs of students needing scientific calculators, help with tuition, application fees and sometimes they'll need clothing and food," said UW Fox Valley Foundation executive director, Diane Abraham.
More than 60 percent of students attending two year UW schools are first generation students who can't afford any added financial stress.
"Many of them come from lower income families so these students are working to put themselves through school," said UW schools chancellor, Cathy Sandeen.
This state wide grant offers up to $500 to students in emergency situations, getting help to them in as little as 2 days.
"Part of what goes into the decision is they're usually recommended by faculty or staff that knows that they have a need and then they have to demonstrate their need to us," said Abraham.
The grant started this past fall at UW-Fox Valley and just 6 months later, all 13 two year UW colleges in the state will offer this program.
