Many Northern Essex Community College students are living paycheck to paycheck with limited resources, and the COVID-19 pandemic has made it even more challenging for them to continue their education.

Recognizing how difficult this is, Northern Essex has created the NECC Student Emergency Fund to help at-risk students stay in college. In the first 15 minutes after the fund was announced, the college received $425 in donations.

The fund will cover laptop and/or internet access for online learning; tuition assistance and stipends, should students now be food insecure because of lost wages; and other needs that are connected with the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Our students are driven, smart, curious, and unique,” said Allison Dolan-Wilson, vice president of institutional advancement. “But they are also vulnerable.”

According to Dolan-Wilson, more than half of the Northern Essex student body is Pell Grant eligible, meaning their families have a total income of $50,000 or less.

“Our students need us now more than ever. We need to support their desire to continue their education,” said Dolan-Wilson.
Students who would like to apply for funding can fill out a form created by Student Affairs. The Financial Aid Office will evaluate each request and do their best to find resources to support the need from currently existing funds as well as the NECC Student Emergency Fund.

If you would like to donate and help Northern Essex students, please contribute to the emergency fund or email Allison Dolan Wilson at adolanwilson@necc.mass.edu.
If you would like more information on applying for funds, contact Despina Lambropoulos, Financial Aid, dlambropoulos@necc.mass.edu.