COVID-19 Response
For nearly every student, family, institution, and partner we work with, the COVID-19 pandemic defined 2019-20 academic year and will undoubtedly shape the next one. The personal hardships and instability students and families have endured in recent months have threatened to derail their progress toward college graduation. Low-income and first-generation college students in Arizona have been especially hard-hit. This has highlighted the importance of a safety net that enables students to continue their college education—now and in more normal times—in the face of financial challenges and other adversities.
Arizona Postsecondary Student Resiliency Fund
Together with Helios Education Foundation, College Success Arizona is providing partner organizations with the funds needed to help students attending higher education institutions throughout the state. Funds are helping students meet basic needs, such as education and living expenses, and providing them with the financial stability that enables them to continue their college education.
See how we are helping meet the needs of students across Arizona
“I now know I will definitely be okay come Fall semester and that my family can now count on me a little more to pitch in after all they’ve done. I’m also really excited to go to the dentist! It made me so happy to think there are still good people in the world looking out for those who don’t know who to reach out to.”
Resiliency Fund Impact Snapshot
$412,000
total funds distributed
to help students
963
students have
received resiliency
funding
80%
of students receiving
funds are Pell Grant
eligible
40%
of students receiving
funds lost a job due
to the pandemic
Advocating for Greater Non-Academic Supports
Late this winter, just when the pandemic disrupted the lives of millions of students around the world, we released a policy brief that highlighted the importance of nonacademic supports for prospective and current college students. The conversation the brief started could not have been more timely as the pandemic made clear the importance of the financial, social, emotional, and career supports we advocate for every day, but especially in times of personal and societal crisis.