West Chester University: $120000 Check Will Help West Chester University Students With Small Semester Balances Cross The Finish - Patch.com

October 25, 2021

Thanks to a generous gift of $120,000 from Student Services, Incorporated (SSI) and PSECU, West Chester University students who carry a small semester balance that prevents them from scheduling classes for the next semester will be awarded monetary micro awards to help them move closer toward degree completion. Bernie Carrozza, chair of the Board of Directors of SSI, and Amanda Altice, community manager at the PSECU Financial Education Center – West Chester, were among those presenting a $120,000 check to West Chester University President Christopher Fiorentino on Tuesday, October 26, in the WCU Campus Store.

SSI and PSECU have been helping West Chester University students with unmet financial need since 2018. In previous years, the gift has also helped students with necessities such as meals and books. Coming together to offer the largest Micro Awards in the University's history, SSI and PSECU seek to make a significant impact on the unmet need of West Chester University students. Micro Awards are managed by the University's Office of Financial Aid.

"SSI stands ready to ensure that West Chester University students have what they need to cross the finish line and to achieve their academic goals," said SSI Chair of the Board of Directors Bernie Carrozza. "We admire these students for their perseverance and determination, and we are deeply honored to be able to support their commitment to academic excellence."

Donna Snyder, executive director of SSI, agreed and provided additional details about the gift. "At President Fiorentino's request, the PSECU/SSI gift of $120,000 will be utilized to assist WCU students with the greatest need," she said. "The pandemic has stretched resources and WCU has a growing population of students who are financially challenged. These students include unaccompanied homeless youth and many other students with unmet financial needs. The Financial Aid Office will manage these funds, coordinating with other funding sources to maximize meeting the needs of as many students as possible. Student Services, Inc. is proud to support the effort to position every student for success."

PSECU is equally supportive. "PSECU has a long history of being a dedicated member of the communities we serve," said PSECU Senior Director of Membership Development Dave Dentler. "We are continually looking for ways to help promising students earn their college degrees. We hope this will inspire others to do the same."

Upon receiving the check, West Chester University President Chris Fiorentino said to those in attendance, "West Chester University is intentional in its efforts to do whatever it can to remove barriers that may impede a student's ability to be successful. We are grateful to be able to align with partners who feel the same. SSI and PSECU meet the needs of our students in very real ways and we continue to be truly grateful for their generosity of resources."

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This press release was produced by West Chester University. The views expressed here are the author's own.