After Hurricanes Helene and Milton brought devastating rainfall, winds and a surge of water to the Tampa Bay area, leadership in the USF College of Arts and Sciences decided to use the Student Success Fund to support students in the college impacted by the storms.
Tree damage at USF’s Botanical Gardens. (Photo by Nicole Brand)
“Our CAS Student Success Fund is available year-round for students to apply for emergency funding,” said Yasmine Cabrera, a scholarship officer in the college.
By deciding to support students who were directly impacted by the storm, the college was able to supplement emergency funds distributed by the United Support Fund, which has already awarded emergency financial aid to more than 250 students.
“This hurricane season has had a large impact on the students,” Cabrera said. “The back-to-back storms not only interrupted their personal lives, but also their academic lives. This created a sense of uncertainty for our students, as well as intensified their everyday life stressors.”
The college was able to assist more than 50 students, who used the emergency funding to purchase food, gas and accommodations, before the fund ran out.
“Being able to grant funding to help these students has brought me joy,” said Cabrera. “I’ve really felt for them in their time of need.”
The CAS Student Success Fund is supported by donors and university faculty and staff. Learn more about supporting the CAS Student Success Fund.