The McGill community has come together in a remarkable way to assist students who are being seriously affected financially by the COVID-19 crisis, contributing over $650,000 on the strength of more than 1,500 donations to the McGill Student Emergency Support Fund less than two weeks after its launch. The outpouring of support includes gifts small and large, and it illustrates the impact the community can have when rallying around a cause that has resonated with so many who have expressed a desire to help.
“In the midst of countless ongoing challenges related to the COVID-19 pandemic, it has been profoundly moving to see many members of the McGill community come together to provide support for students finding themselves in serious financial need,” said Principal Suzanne Fortier. “The immediate concern, timely response, and overwhelming generosity of our alumni and friends serve as a reminder of the bonds that continue to exist across generations of McGill graduates and community members. I cannot thank them enough for this thoughtful support.”
Students across the University are requesting aid for a variety of pressing reasons as they lose part-time income or are affected by pandemic-related financial difficulties that are being felt within their own families, explains Cara Piperni, Director of McGill’s Scholarships and Student Aid Office. Some are asking for help in order to pay rent and purchase groceries. Others are needing emergency travel funds to get home. And as courses move online, still others are requiring support for equipment and services necessary for the transition to a remote instruction environment. The emergency assistance is provided on the basis of demonstrated financial need.
As of April 14, there have been 233 recipients of the student emergency bursaries put in place as a result of the pandemic. According to Piperni, “On any given day, we have an average of 40 new applicants. There are many more cases in the pipeline and many daily appointments in progress.”
The need for crucial aid in the face of the pandemic is expected to continue at least through April and May. The Scholarships and Student Aid Office has seen applications from across McGill faculties, and from both undergraduate and graduate level students.
“The Student Aid team has provided immeasurable assistance to me in the wake of the COVID crisis,” says Izuchukwu John, a master’s student in the Faculty of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences. “At a time when we are all worried about our health, family, finances and academics, the aid I received has helped to relieve so much of my stress. The support of the McGill community at this critical moment means so much to me.”
Chelsea Woodhouse, a master’s candidate in Library and Information Sciences, is worried she will run into financial trouble when her work study contract at The Neuro’s library expires at the end of April. “I am resourceful and am adjusting to remote work, but like many other students, I need the resources to make these adjustments effectively,” she said, noting that in addition to costs associated with setting up her work and study space at home, her grocery bill initially doubled as store shelves were picked clean, with only costly premium products remaining.
Part of the collective support from the McGill community includes three significant gifts: John and Marcy McCall MacBain, who last year pledged $200 million for graduate student funding by creating the McCall MacBain Scholarships at McGill, have given $100,000 to support graduate students affected by the pandemic. The Marcelle and Jean Coutu Foundation, which is a strong supporter of autism research and dentistry community outreach programs at McGill, has also contributed $100,000 to the fund. Another donor, who wishes to remain anonymous, has contributed $125,000 in matching funds to encourage further giving in support of the bursaries.
McGill initially provided $250,000 from its operating budget to supplement support for emergency funding when the spike in urgent student need first became evident in March. The Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies Office has contributed an additional $125,000. But the needs continue to grow.
“We have received so many requests from students who are experiencing significant financial stress due to the pandemic,” says Piperni. “The support from donors in such a short time has been incredible. It is amazing to see how the kindness of people really comes out in times like this.”
If you would like to support student emergency bursaries, you can do so through the McGill Giving site.
This article has been updated to include the latest amounts given in support of the Fund.