WSSU offers Ram Relief funds to students affected by COVID-19

Winston-Salem State University (WSSU) offers an emergency relief fund to students who are being economically affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Ram Relief Fund, created by WSSU leadership, is available to give students support that is not available through government programs and other traditional relief sources.

“COVID-19 has been an unprecedented event in all our lives,” says LaTanya Afolayan, vice chancellor of University Advancement at WSSU. “We have students who are in desperate need of emergency support. We are able to provide that support through our Ram Relief Fund.”

Ram Relief funds will be given in cases where the student or family has exhausted all of their monetary resources and are no longer able to pay for items essential to the student’s higher education pursuits, potentially causing them to withdraw from the university.

These resources allow students to access financial resources for the following necessities:

• Food
• Medicine
• Travel
• Communication resources
• Education supplies
• Other immediate needs

The university is calling for all of its faculty, staff, alumni, and supporters to donate money to support the Ram Relief Fund.

“Through no fault of their own, students are now being faced with unimaginable challenges,” says Afolayan. “Now more than ever, we need to come to the aid of our RAMily. Although this pandemic may separate us, no one is in this alone.”

Relief funds are given in the form of grants, with a one-time maximum of up to $500 for eligible students. Grants will be awarded on a case-by-case basis once a student and their family have exhausted all other resources.

WSSU students who have emergency financial needs as a result of COVID-19 can apply for aid by completing the Ram Relief – COVID-19 Pandemic form.

You can make a donation to the emergency fund by visiting WSSU’s Ram Relief Fund mobile cause site or by texting 2020RAMRELIEF to 71777. No amount is too small.