The U.S. Department of Education awarded Indiana University Northwest a grant to tackle students’ basic needs.
The funding is through the U.S. Department of Education’s Basic Needs for Postsecondary Students Program. The grant aims to ensure access to food, housing, transportation and mental health services for IU Northwest students.
The grant will facilitate the establishment of RedHawks CARE — Community Aligned Resources and Engagement. The program aims to foster a sense of security and stability among IU Northwest students by directly addressing their fundamental needs.
More than two-thirds of IU Northwest students receive financial aid. The grant provides an opportunity for students to concentrate on their academic pursuits without having the burden of unmet basic needs.
“When students’ essential needs are fulfilled, they are more likely to excel academically, persist in their studies and cultivate the skills required for successful careers, thereby creating a stable foundation for long-term success,” said Vicki Román-Lagunas, IU Northwest interim chancellor, in a press release. “This funding not only contributes to lasting individual student achievements but also underscores the campus’s enduring commitment to the broader community.”
The RedHawks CARE program will:
- Create two new campus positions to connect students to basic needs assistance and resources.
- Collaborate with external agencies, such as the Food Bank of Northwest Indiana and United Way Northwest Indiana.
- Expand supports such as the RedHawks Nest, the on-campus food pantry.
- Provide stipends to cover housing expenses and transportation vouchers, gas cards or bus passes to assist with transportation needs.
- Implement a campus-wide mental health strategy.
“Indiana University is proud to support initiatives that directly enhance the well-being and academic success of our students,” IU President Pamela Whitten said. “This transformative grant from the U.S. Department of Education underscores IU Northwest’s deep commitment to ensuring that every student has the resources they need to thrive.”
