College students facing financial difficulties and associated hardships often feel isolated in their struggle. However, thanks to a state-issued grant for over $300,000 dollars, many students may be able to receive additional financial assistance from the University.
A grant of $347,070 was awarded to GVSU to assist students facing financial hardship. Costs like textbooks, academic supplies, groceries, rent or mortgage payments, internet fees, technology, medical debt and childcare are all expenses the grant might support in some capacity. To University students worried about affording their expenses, additional financial support could be an invaluable gift.
Any student who already has used all other financial aid options, including loans, is eligible to apply. The University’s funds are awarded on a case by case, first come, first served basis. There is also a Special Circumstance Request Form on GVSU’s Financial Aid website that further explains support types that are not clear in the initial application.
Michelle Rhodes, the associate vice president for Financial Aid at GVSU, said students are invited to apply even if they aren’t sure they’d qualify. If students are unable to receive funds from this specific grant, they will be guided toward other resources. To those working in the University’s Office of Financial Aid, student success is the main objective.
“We encourage anyone who is struggling financially to reach out to (the Financial Aid Office) or to fill out a hardship request so we can get helpful information to them about how to cover their costs,” Rhodes said.
According to Rhodes, an application to the Office of Financial Aid is made into a “centralized request in order to make the process easier and more streamlined for students, so they can ‘apply’ for all of the funds we have at one time.” However, applicants should not expect an immediate response, as decisions and processing can take up to four weeks.
It seems the total of state grants awarded to GVSU have maintained upwards of $800,000 every year since 2017, according to annual Financial Aid Reports. This is about double the money on average the University received from the State 10 years ago. The 2015-2016 school year report totaled $433,790 in state grants, and $468,900 was garnered during the 2014-2015 school year.
Financial need and hardship is an unfortunate reality of student life. A national survey revealed 59% of students in 2025 consider dropping out of college because of financial stress.
Kailey Washburn is one of many full-time GVSU students to work multiple jobs. Washburn estimates she spent an average of 30 hours a week last semester working. Despite the struggle to balance full-time work with full-time student responsibilities, Washburn said she is considering picking up a third job.
“I bought the smallest meal plan physically possible, but I live paycheck to paycheck, so even then, it’s kinda rough,” Washburn said. “It’s just so expensive for groceries, I would probably use (hardship grant funds) for that (buying food).”
Washburn said with classes scheduled every day of the week, she barely has enough time to complete assignments before her scheduled shifts.
“With how much I have to work, yes (my student experience is impacted),” Washburn said. “Last semester, I was stressed all the time because I have to work. If I did get the grant, I would (decrease my work hours).”
Like Washburn, many students are exerting effort to support themselves through the demands and challenges of higher education. Offering opportunities for support can change both a student’s educational and life experience.
