Students often have to budget down to the last dollar while attending college, but Zane State recognizes that unanticipated expenses could interrupt education.

Through a new partnership with United Way, Zane State is continuing to offer a Dash Grant to students who may run into a variety of expenses they were not expecting.

The Dash Grant has been offered to students in years past but the money came from a different source. Great Lakes partnered with Zane State for three years to fund the grant. Upon that contract expiring, Zane State applied for a similar type of funding through United Way.

The sponsorship through United Way provides Zane State with $20,000 for distribution to students in need. The college also contributed $5,000 to the Dash Fund. The contract with United Way is a one year contract that is up for renewal annually.

“(The grant) is to help students who have an unforeseen emergency that might hinder or derail their educational success,” Kevin Hurst, the Chief Student Affairs Officer at Zane State, said.

Students are able to apply for a Dash Grant, up to $500, by logging into their Dream Keeper Portal Account and filling out the grant form. All the forms are directed to Hurst who communicates with the student and allocates funds appropriately.

Each student has the opportunity to take advantage of the grant once during their duration at Zane State. All students, including college credit plus students, are eligible to apply for the grant.

“We’re a commuter campus and so our students rely on transportation to come to and from home to school and so a large need that we had was transportation needs,” Hurst said. “It’s not uncommon for a student’s transportation to be unreliable and all of a sudden have an emergency.”

The grant doesn’t only cover transportation emergencies, but automotive troubles are one of the main emergencies that Zane State students experience.

In the past three years, during the Great Lakes contract, many students took advantage of the opportunity. Roughly $46,560 was distributed to students in need through the grant program.

Eligibility for the grant is based upon student’s FAFSA. If a student qualifies for the Pell Grant or loans through FAFSA, they are eligible to apply for the Dash Grant.

Students are able to start applying on a need-based basis throughout the Fall, Spring and Summer Semesters. Fall Semester began Monday, so students can start applying as of the beginning of the week.

“We’re really excited to begin this new partnership with United Way so we can continue helping students in their emergency needs,” Hurst said.