Dora and Dr. Kay Nasser (PhD) donated $100,000 to lead the fundraising campaign for students in need due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Vulnerable students in crisis given lifeline

Thanks to the outpouring of support from USask alumni and campus community, over 200 students have received emergency financial help over the last month.

By Jessica Elfar

Job loss, changes to living situations, and the sudden transition to distance learning left many USask students facing additional and overwhelming stressors due to the COVID-19 pandemic, far beyond what they would typically face at the end of a school year.

However, thanks to $305,888 in donations from 742 alumni, faculty, staff and other donors, 216 students have received emergency financial assistance over the last month to help ensure their education goals were not disrupted.

Autumn LaRose-Smith, newly elected president of the USSU, said students are especially vulnerable, so this critical donor support means the difference between thriving and surviving.

“Students rely on part-time jobs that may have been cut, with uncertain housing situations, and hoping landlords can defer their rent payments,” LaRose-Smith said. “Students who had summer employment lined up might be losing those opportunities, and then they might not be able to come back to school in the fall. Right now, we should be focusing on thriving, preparing for the next term. A lot of students won’t even be able to conceive of their next term right now.”

To support students in need of crisis funding, donate to the Nasser Family Emergency Student Trust.