WASHINGTON – Howard University is seeking urgent support for the Howard University Alumni Association (HUAA) Emergency Scholarship Fund. The University has heard from students and parents who have lost jobs or are facing other hardships related to the COVID-19 outbreak. One hundred percent of the fund will be used to give immediate, need-based scholarships to prospective May graduates in all 13 schools and colleges, to assist them as they continue working towards their diplomas as planned.  

“We have all been impacted by COVID-19, but Howard students have been hit especially hard,” says Sharon Strange Lewis, director of Alumni Relations whose daughter graduated from Howard University in 2017. “As a Howard alumna and the parent of a Howard graduate, I understand the level of excitement, anticipation, and pressure students feel when they're about to graduate. This fund was created to support those graduating students who have experienced unforeseen hardship caused by the outbreak. Our hope is that each gift, no matter how small, will allow us to do something great for these students."

The University has already taken steps to help students by refunding portions of students’ room and board, waiving seniors’ graduation fees, and returning fees for student activities, parking, and labs. Still, the need is great. The recent federal stimulus bill has covered some of these urgent expenses, but students’ needs are far greater than the one-time grant.

Many Howard University alumni have already reached out asking how they can help support students. Howard University encourages all alumni and friends of the University to contribute to the HUAA Emergency Scholarship Fund right away. All contributions, big or small, make a difference.

Click here to give to the HUAA Emergency Scholarship Fund today.

Students can apply for the scholarship by the application deadline, extended to May 1.

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About Howard University 

Founded in 1867, Howard University is a private, research university that is comprised of 13 schools and colleges. Students pursue studies in more than 120 areas leading to undergraduate, graduate and professional degrees. The University operates with a commitment to Excellence in Truth and Service and has produced one Schwarzman Scholar, three Marshall Scholars, four Rhodes Scholars, 11 Truman Scholars, 25 Pickering Fellows and more than 70 Fulbright Scholars. Howard also produces more on-campus African-American Ph.D. recipients than any other university in the United States. For more information on Howard University, visit www.howard.edu. 

Media Contact: Misha Cornelius, misha.cornelius@howard.edu