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USF Helps 85 Down And Out Students, Seeks Donors

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By ADAM EMERSON | The Tampa Tribune

Published: November 14, 2008

TAMPA - At least 85 students who have fallen on hard times have sought help from University of South Florida administrators who undertook a campaign to keep them in school.

For three months, USF has directed its "Don't Stop, Don't Drop!" initiative toward students at risk of leaving the university because they or their families face hardships from lost income.

Of the 85 who needed additional financial aid, four were homeless, said Les Miller, USF's ombudsman, who heads up the campaign.

"The economy has taken a downturn on many of these students," said Miller, a former state senator.

Most of the help comes from the campus financial aid office, which can find students short-term loans. But even that aid won't come right away for most, making it harder for students who need to pay the light bill before the electric company shuts the power off.

Miller is seeking help from donors and local merchants to develop a fund that would dispense gift cards or quick money to students in imminent danger of dropping out. After three months, he has found no benefactors.

He needs them soon. During September and October, the program worked on average with about 21 students weekly. Miller expects the demand to increase as the economy continues to sour.

Students often come to see him or others in the financial aid office with news that one or both of their parents lost their jobs. They can't pay the rent and they can barely pay for books and school supplies, and they're on the verge of dropping out, Miller said.

Administrators helped those who were homeless with available on-campus housing or off-campus apartments.

For most, the efforts have worked. Of the 65 students who sought help in September, the university successfully followed up with 45; they all stayed in school. Miller and his team successfully followed up with 16 of the 20 who sought help in October and found that none dropped out.

Reporter Adam Emerson can be reached at (813) 259-8285.

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