From hardship to hope: UHCL grant making a difference

Before receiving the Basic Needs Grant, UHCL student Muselifat Kareem experienced significant financial hardships due to work changes that ultimately affected his health and achieving his academic goals.

"I was unable to receive help from other agencies," said Kareem. "UHCL was the only place that offered me the maximum allowance to assist in paying my rent. That act of kindness allowed me to stay afloat until I accepted another job opportunity," Kareem explained. "Today I work for a wonderful property management company and have the desperately needed work-life balance. I am beyond blessed, and if it were not for UHCL's support, I have no idea where I would be academically or professionally."

Unique Grossenhieder, another beneficiary, used the grant to manage her chronic migraines, which directly impacted her academic performance.

"Spending time at the computer to complete assignments and my ability to focus was affected by not receiving the treatment," said Grossenhieder. "I saw the decline in my grades and knew I needed to figure out a way to get the treatment immediately. However, I was laid off from my job and unable to afford it," Grossenheider continued. "That is when one of my wonderful professors told me about the Basic Needs Grant. I applied, and within a few days, I received the funds I needed to schedule my appointment."

This timely aid preserved her health and GPA and contributed to her successfully obtaining her degree.

In response to recent severe weather in Houston, including Hurricane Beryl, CSAC launched the 'Storm Initiative,' utilizing basic needs funds to support students during weather-related disasters. After reviewing over 200 applications, a total of $57,000 was distributed to students through food and gas vouchers, demonstrating UHCL's swift and effective adaptation to the immediate needs of its students during these challenging times.

The assistance helped student Sylvia Gichana temporarily relieve her financial hardship by contributing toward her light bill and groceries.

"If the Basic Needs Persistence Grant did not exist, I would be left making two tough choices," said Gichana. "I would have to drop a class or pay a bill; both are important to me. UHCL should continue the Basic Needs Persistence Grant to help students. It shows that the school cares for its students and that's what makes students continue their education here."

Ebony Brunn, Associate Director of CSAC, said students must be actively enrolled for the current semester at the time of application. Undergraduate degree-seeking students actively enrolled in 9+ credit hours or graduate degree-seeking students actively enrolled in 6+ credit hours for the current semester are eligible. Students must also have experienced a recent unforeseen hardship, which created a financial loss that threatens the student's continued enrollment or academic success. An "unforeseen hardship" is an unplanned event within the last 30 days, beyond the student's control and not caused by the student's negligence, lack of planning, and/or money mismanagement. A "financial loss" is an adverse change in financial circumstances or a significant decrease in income.

Students can apply for the grant more than once until they meet the $1,000 threshold. Students must provide documentation of their basic needs, such as an eviction notice, utility bill, expenses, receipts, etc. The grant does not offer reimbursements.

For more information about CSAC and the Basic Needs Grant, students can visit the CSAC office and request Project Coordinator Annabelle Camero, or visit www.uhcl.edu/student-affairs/advocacy/persistence-grant.

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