New Emergency Fund Established for Veteran and Military Students at COTC and Ohio State Newark

On this Veterans Day, Central Ohio Technical College (COTC) and The Ohio State University at Newark announce a new fund to support veterans, active duty service members and reservists who encounter an unexpected financial hardship that threatens their academic progress. The co-located institutions are seeking the community’s help to grow the Veterans Emergency Fund and help military-affiliated students enrolled at both institutions overcome financial crises to successfully complete their degree.

The Veterans Emergency Fund will provide financial assistance for expenses caused by unforeseen circumstances that are not covered by military educational benefits or scholarships. Examples include vehicle breakdowns, sudden illnesses, job layoffs and more. The student must provide documentation of the emergency and amount of assistance requested. All requests will be considered on a case-by-case basis by the COTC and Ohio State Newark Office of Student Financial Services.

All veteran, active duty service members and reservists at COTC or Ohio State Newark are eligible for emergency funding, regardless if they are using their federal or state military educational benefits. A student must be enrolled during the semester in which funding is requested, and a military-issued ID or other documentation identifying military service is required for verification.

In recognition of Veterans Day, those wishing to support veteran and military students may make a tax-deductible contribution to the Veterans Emergency Fund. Gifts may be made online at go.cotc.edu/veteransfund or by check written to COTC. Designate Veterans Emergency Fund on the memo line and mail to: Advancement Office, 1179 University Drive, Newark OH 43055. For questions about donating, please contact Melanie Bolender, assistant director of advancement, at bolender.16@osu.edu.

COTC and Ohio State Newark will begin awarding emergency funds next academic year, which begins with summer semester on May 17, 2021. Additional information for students about eligibility, applying and receiving funds from The Veterans Emergency Fund is available in the Office of Student Financial Services. The availability and amount of funds will depend on gift contributions. Interested students should contact Shayne Mason, student financial specialist and VA school certifying official, at mason.654@mail.cotc.edu.

Central Ohio Technical College and The Ohio State University at Newark have forged an outstanding array of educational opportunities for the central Ohio region and beyond. This partnership is viewed as a model for higher education in the state of Ohio.  At Central Ohio Technical College, students gain hands-on, applicable experience to begin working in the field, or to transfer those credits toward a bachelor’s degree program. The Ohio State University at Newark offers an academic environment that is inclusive of diversity, challenging but supportive with world-renowned professors and access to Ohio State’s more than 200 majors.