Office of Public Affairs

Community Relations

10/12/2009

Emergency Aid Campaign Enjoys Early Support But Needs Still to Be Addressed

HARRISONBURG—Last month, James Madison University issued an urgent call to action to its alumni and friends to help students most severely affected by the global economic crisis.

The university established an emergency scholarship fund called “Madison For Keeps.” One hundred percent of donations to the fund will provide immediate aid to students who may otherwise be forced to withdraw for the spring semester. To date, more than $61,500 has been raised from over 780 donors.

During the 2008-09 academic year, 421 appeals were made for additional financial aid due to sudden changes in financial circumstances. Three weeks into the current academic year, the Office of Financial Aid had already fielded appeals from 530 students — a 26 percent increase. The most-often cited reason is job loss of one or both parents. Federal, state and university aid have already been depleted, leaving more than 200 students with a need gap.

“This is something I have never seen in my 13 years in financial aid,” said Brad Barnett, senior associate director of financial aid. “I’ve spoken to crying parents who are desperate. They want their children to be able to stay at Madison but have scraped together all the resources they can and are still short — sometimes by just a few hundred dollars.”

The university’s leadership launched Madison For Keeps in response to this overwhelming need. Even after their initial financial aid awards, the average need for students who applied for emergency assistance is $6,353.

“Though the initial response to the Madison for Keeps campaign has been strong, we still have a long way to go,” said Dr. Joanne Carr, JMU’s senior vice president for University Advancement. “This is one of the most urgent appeals that we’ve ever made. By supporting this campaign, supporters are keeping open the doors for these students’ future.”

Donors are asked to contribute to the Madison For Keeps fund by Dec. 31 in order to assist students in the spring semester. More information is available at www.jmu.edu/madison4keeps, where participants can make a gift using the recently upgraded online giving form.

Alumni and friends may also make a gift during this week’s Homecoming football game by visiting the Madison for Keeps table near the concession stand in the northwest corner of Bridgeforth Stadium.

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