ISU receives $21,379 grant to help needy students with educational expenses

Idaho State University has received a $21,379 grant to assist financially needy juniors, seniors and graduate students with educational expenses, according to Sally Long, ISU director of corporate and foundation relations.

The grant is from the Student Loan Fund of Idaho Education Fund managed by the nonprofit Idaho Community Foundation. The ICF – Idaho's only community foundation— manages nearly 400 charitable funds on behalf of individuals, families, organizations, and businesses across the state.

Thanks to the gift, ISU has established the Special Circumstances Need-Based Grant Program to cover the emergency and unexpected educational costs of qualifying junior, senior and graduate students.

“We are hopeful this generous gift and the Need-Based Grant Program will help more of our students stay in school and alleviate the need to take out excessive student loans to cover expenses,” said Jody Finnegan, ISU associate director of scholarships.

Of the 9,000 ISU students who receive federal financial aid each year, 70 percent are independent students who do not get financial assistance from their parents; another 53 percent are students who are supporting children.

ISU expects to assist 25 students with $800 Need-Based grants this academic year. To qualify, students must attend ISU full time, be an Idaho resident and have a “documented special circumstance,” said Finnegan.  

For more information about Special Circumstances Need-Based grants, contact the ISU Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships at (208) 282-2756.