Applying for Basic Needs Assistance During COVID-19
LEXINGTON, Ky. (March 24, 2020) — Although learning looks different at the University of Kentucky now due to the coronavirus response, our core principles remain the same.
At UK, student success continues to be at the center of everything we do,and students’ basic needs are important to success. The rapid but necessary transition to online education to complete the semester — and the move of most students from campus — may result in additional hardship for many students.
If you know a student who is experiencing hardship or are a student who is in need, visit the Community of Concern (CoC) website and file a report using the "Report a Concern" tab.
The CoC serves as a central hub to connect students with resources to meet basic needs regarding food and housing. The CoC office works closely with campus resources to provide early intervention for students who may be struggling personally, or whose behavior has led others to be concerned for their well-being.
Once a report is filed, CoC case managers will virtually connect with students to provide access to information and resources, create action plans for success and monitor student progress.
Due to the novel coronavirus (COVID-19), the CoC is operating remotely from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday and can be reached by email at concern@lsv.uky.eduor by phone at 859-257-3755.
Anyone who would like to help support students at the university during this pandemic, can make a donation to the Basic Needs and Persistence Fund. It provides services for students experiencing varying degrees of uncertainty around basic needs and/or financial distress, which may otherwise prevent them from continuing their education.
To donate to the Basic Needs and Persistence Fund, click here. To learn more about basic needs at UK, click here.
In response to many UK alumni inquiring about ways to help students now, UK Vice President for Philanthropy and Alumni Engagement Mike Richey sent an email message to all alumni Friday, March 20, informing them of the Basic Needs and Persistence Fund. As of Monday afternoon, March 23, more than $37,400 had been raised from 176 gifts from donors in more than 24 states, Washington, D.C. and one international location.
For the most up-to-date information regarding UK's plans and preparedness in addressing challenges surrounding COVID-19, please visit www.uky.edu/coronavirus/.
As the state’s flagship, land-grant institution, the University of Kentucky exists to advance the Commonwealth. We do that by preparing the next generation of leaders — placing students at the heart of everything we do — and transforming the lives of Kentuckians through education, research and creative work, service and health care. We pride ourselves on being a catalyst for breakthroughs and a force for healing, a place where ingenuity unfolds. It's all made possible by our people — visionaries, disruptors and pioneers — who make up 200 academic programs, a $476.5 million research and development enterprise and a world-class medical center, all on one campus.
In 2022, UK was ranked by Forbes as one of the “Best Employers for New Grads” and named a “Diversity Champion” by INSIGHT into Diversity, a testament to our commitment to advance Kentucky and create a community of belonging for everyone. While our mission looks different in many ways than it did in 1865, the vision of service to our Commonwealth and the world remains the same. We are the University for Kentucky.