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Keeping Dreams Alive: º¬Ð߲ݴ«Ã½AV Steps In When Students Face Crisis

º¬Ð߲ݴ«Ã½AVnical College (GTC) students carry more than books and laptops to class. Many also carry the weight of hunger, housing insecurity, and unexpected bills that can derail their dreams of higher education.

Through the Student Assistance and Resources (STAR) Center, the º¬Ð߲ݴ«Ã½AV provides vital emergency aid so students don’t have to choose between basic needs and school. Last academic year, the STAR Center distributed more thanÌý$89,423 in emergency fundsÌýto help with housing, utilities, transportation, and more. Already this year, the need continues to rise, with at leastÌý100 veteran students projected to require emergency support.

Students experience challenges that are urgent and undeniable:Ìý46% of students report housing insecurity, 39% face food insecurity, and 57% struggle with at least one basic needs challenge.ÌýPantry visits have soared 152% in just two years, with more than 2,000 grocery bags distributed in the past year alone. Behind these statistics are parents (80% of STAR shoppers), working students (42% identify as workers who take classes), and individuals determined to break cycles of poverty through education.

And yet, despite these challenges, GTC students remainÌýresilient and hopeful. They believe the sacrifices are worth it: 79% say the cost of college is a good investment, and 86% believe their degree will lead to a higher quality of life. What they lack isn’t determination—it’s resources. The º¬Ð߲ݴ«Ã½AV fills that gap, keeping students in the classroom and on track toward graduation.

“Programs that support students’ basic needs increase persistence. When I look at the Academic Awards and Students of Distinction from Summer 2025, I see many who utilize the STAR Center. Despite socioeconomic challenges, º¬Ð߲ݴ«Ã½AVnical College students are brilliant, strive for excellence, and achieve results,â€ÌýsaidÌýGina Bridges, Director of the STAR Center.

The º¬Ð߲ݴ«Ã½AV is calling on the community to take action.ÌýYour gift today can keep a parent in class, a family housed, and a student’s dream alive.ÌýTogether, we can ensure that education remains the bridge to a brighter tomorrow.