All of us at the SBCC Foundation would like to offer the following important updates, informational resources, and deep gratitude for your continued support as we navigate the emerging coronavirus health crisis.
SUPPORTING OUR STUDENTS AND COMMUNITY
The Foundation is as committed as ever to supporting SBCC students as they prepare for careers, transfer to four-year universities, and pursue lifelong learning goals. With this in mind, the Foundation offered one-time emergency grants starting on March 30 to current SBCC students who were experiencing financial emergencies as a result of the current COVID-19 pandemic. The SBCC Foundation’s COVID-19 Emergency Grant program is now closed. Additional emergency grant resources for students are being explored, please check back soon.
For a list of COVID-19 resources, please visit our Resources page, or the web page that the college has posted that contains a comprehensive list of critical information, updated daily. You may find it here.
If you are a student experiencing financial emergencies as a result of the pandemic, please visit the SBCC CARES Act Emergency Grant page for more information about applying for a grant.
Since the Foundation launched the COVID-19 Student Emergency Grant Fund on March 30, the SBCC Foundation provided over $2 million in assistance to more than 2,300 students. These one-time grants of up to $1,000 per student helped to cover housing, food, child care, and other essential items, including the technology and internet access necessary for students to continue their education remotely. Thank you to all of our community members who donated to the grant fund!
Of the students who received emergency grants,
- 100% reported COVID-related job loss.
- 100% cited difficulty meeting their basic needs, including:
- 53% who asked for rent or housing assistance.
- 40% who asked for help paying for food/groceries.
- 8% who asked for help with necessary prescriptions and COVID-related medical bills.
- 69% reported insufficient access to Wi-Fi, a requirement to continue their now-online courses.
- 52% requested help to continue their education in the Spring 2020 semester, including financial assistance with tuition, books, and/or supplies.
Here are just a few stories from grateful students who received emergency grants:
“I am a first-generation, low-income student who has been financially independent since I was 17 years old. I was working three jobs while taking organic chemistry and physics classes at SBCC. Due to the Coronavirus I lost two of those jobs, which were my main source of income. I have no idea when I’ll be able to return to work, so as of now I have no income. Thank you! This is an amazing resource the SBCC Foundation is offering students and I am eternally grateful.” – J. Tellez
“I am so relieved to have a source of income this month. I have already used some of the money to purchase groceries, as well as pay my internet and phone bill. The rest of the money will be put toward my rent this month. I feel so honored and appreciative to all the donors who have come together to support our community during this tough time. This money has not only helped me financially, but emotionally as well, as it has taken a huge load off of my shoulders. With less stress dictating my life, I am better able to focus on my studies, and for that I am endlessly thankful. Thank you so much for your help. It is my dream to one day return the favor by offering a helping hand to a college student in need.” – S. Cunningham
“They significantly cut my hours at my first job and it’s likely they will close up shop in a week or two. My job at Starbucks is only able to provide partial income until the 19th of April. I am unsure about where my next paycheck will come from after that. I have some money I’ve saved to fall back on, so I limited my request because I know there are many out there who need the money too. Thank you so much for doing this for your students. What you have done for us is much more than just the money. It truly restores hope in the community.” – S. Fernandez
THE SBCC CAMPUS
In concert with the public health guidelines issued by the federal, state, and local governments, SBCC leadership took decisive steps to limit the health risks to our students, faculty, staff, and the community at large. All classes that could be moved to an online format have been. All instruction through the remainder of the spring semester, as well as both summer sessions, will be exclusively online. No decision has yet been made with respect to Fall 2020. Nearly all of the college faculty and staff are working remotely. The college has posted a comprehensive web page with all of the critical information updated daily. You may find it here.
THE SBCC FOUNDATION
The Foundation is in step with the college – all staff are working remotely. Foundation business is being conducted via email, conference call, and web tools. We are still sending and receiving mail though deliveries are less frequent, so we ask for your patience if mailed communications are slower than normal. Our programs continue uninterrupted.
