QUESTIONS FOR GVSU FACULTY, STAFF, AND STUDENTS

What is the Grand Valley Student Support Fund? 

The Grand Valley Student Support Fund is a new special initiative aimed specifically to help students experiencing unusual or extreme challenges from the current economic crisis. 

Is this an endowment fund?

No. 

Will gifts to this fund be matched by the university?

Yes, on a dollar-for-dollar basis.  This is an exception to the rule that matches are only applied to GVSU endowment funds.

Will gifts to this fund be available to students immediately?

Yes.

Will all gifts be used to help students? 

Yes.  All gifts and the match will reside in a restricted fund with 100 percent going directly to needy students. 

Who will decide how awards from this Grand Valley Student Support Fund will be made?

The Financial Aid Office will determine the recipients and award amounts based on the availability of funds and knowledge of students experiencing unusual or extreme challenges from the current economic crisis.

What form will awards to students take?

The awards will be grants.

When will actual awards be made?

The first awards will be made during the fall semester.  As gifts accumulate, future awards will be granted.  University Administration expects the aid awards to continue into academic year 2010-11. 

QUESTIONS FOR STUDENTS WITH FINANCIAL NEED

How will students be informed about this fund? 

Information about the Grand Valley Student Support Fund will be posted online at www.gvsu.edu/financialaid 

Must students apply to obtain an award from this fund?

Students will follow the process used by the Financial Aid Office to consider Special Circumstances.  More information about this process and the forms used are provided through a link in the News section of the Financial Aid Office homepage at www.gvsu.edu/financialaid

May students make their own application to obtain awards from this fund? 

Students should complete one of the Special Circumstances forms provided by the Financial Aid Office.  Students can contact the office if they have any questions about this process or if they would like to discuss further the change in their financial situation. 

What if a student has already completed the Special Circumstances process with the Financial Aid Office?

Contact the Financial Aid Office to discuss the option of a second review based on the availability of these additional funds.

How will students be notified if they have been granted an award?

Students who complete the Special Circumstances form requesting consideration for this grant will receive notification of the decision regarding the awarding of this grant and/or any other change in their financial aid.

How may students learn whether they qualify?

Information about the Grand Valley Student Support Fund will be posted online at www.gvsu.edu/financialaid.  Students can also contact the Financial Aid Office to discuss the change in their financial situation or if they need further assistance in understanding what they should do to be considered for this grant.

QUESTIONS ABOUT GIVING TO SUPPORT OUR STUDENTS

For how long will gifts to this fund be matched? 

The University will match employee contributions made from August 19, 2009 through August 2010.

Will this be an annual appeal, or is this a one-time request? 

In spring 2010, University Administration will assess the impact of the program and determine whether to continue matching for a second year. 

Are all university faculty and staff being asked to consider donating their pay increase to this fund?

In letters sent to all faculty and staff the week of August 24, university leaders have asked that all employees consider a gift of any amount, according to their own circumstances, to help our students who find themselves in a financial bind.

This effort originated with an idea voiced by the Faculty Senate that faculty and staff members make gifts to the Grand Valley Student Support Fund in the amount of their salary increases. The Senior Management Team has unanimously pledged to do just that for this important initiative.

If you have not received your letter, the complete texts may be viewed by clicking here.

Does this special match affect the university's traditional matching program? 

No.  The university's traditional matching program, which matches gifts from faculty and staff to endowment funds, will continue unchanged.  In addition, gifts to the Mary Idema Pew Library Learning and Information Commons will also be matched this fiscal year.

Will gifts to this fund count towards the annual Faculty and Staff Campaign and the Shaping Our Future campaign? 

Yes.

How may faculty and staff give to this fund?

Give online: The fastest way to make a gift online is through our secure online donation form at www.gvsu.edu/give.  Click to begin; when you reach the Gift Information box, please indicate GV Student Support Fund.

Give by mail: At www.gvsu.edu/give, you may print any of the downloadable giving forms (PDF) listed and make your donation by check or credit card.  

Payroll deduction:  please print the Faculty/Staff form linked on www.gvsu.edu/give  and complete the appropriate information. 

Give by phone: Call (616) 331-6000 between 8am and 5pm Eastern time, Monday through Friday, to speak with a Grand Valley staff member about your gift.

Will giving by payroll deduction delay getting aid to needy students? 

We anticipate spending in advance some of the pledges that will be received via payroll deduction.  For example, if a staff member pledges $600 via payroll deduction, with the match we may begin spending some significant portion of the $1,200  total immediately this fall and winter in anticipation of the collection and related match of the gift as payrolls occur.

Will details about my gift be kept in confidence? 

Yes, existing University Development departmental policies on donor confidentiality will continue to apply. 

May others outside the university give as well, and will their gifts be matched?

On behalf of our students, the university welcomes support from any friends who wish to respond to students in crisis.   We regret that we cannot extend the matching program to gifts from those who are not GVSU faculty or staff members.

Whom should I contact with any other questions?

If you have questions about your giving, past, present or future, remember to call the Development Office at 616-331-6000 (email: gvufound@gvsu.edu).  

If you have questions about applying for help from the Student Support Fund or for scholarships or aid, please contact the Office of Financial Aid at 616-331-3234 or 1-800-748-0246 (email: finaid@gvsu.edu).