Bulldog Basic Needs Alliance Mission
Ferris State University is committed to the academic and personal success of our students
and understand that basic needs have a direct impact on the well-being and success
of our students. The Bulldog Basic Needs Alliance provides emergency assistance to
current students facing food or housing insecurity which would otherwise jeopardize
their ability to stay in school.
Bulldog Basic Needs Alliance Vision Statement
The Bulldog Basic Needs Alliance WILL:
- Be human centered. Remembering that students are humans first, all outreach, communications,
paperwork, and processes will be handled with extreme confidentiality and sensitivity.
- Act quickly. Emergency aid needs to be delivered fast to be meaningful for students.
We will aim for no more than a 48-hour turnaround from application to distribution.
- Minimize barriers. Unnecessary hurdles harm students and we will work to eliminate
this concern by ensuring the eligibility criteria are clear and as easy to meet as
possible.
- Reach for equity. In reviewing cases and making determinations, we will consider if
the student has access to other grant resources (perhaps based on academic merit)
and help them pursue those instead, saving the emergency fund for students lacking
similar advantages.
- Emphasize community awareness. By advertising widely and creating a physical presence
on campus, we will ensure that all students are aware that there is confidential emergency
assistance available to them.
- Provide additional resources. We understand that financial assistance is important
but should not be given alone. Students who receive assistance from the Alliance will
also be provided with additional information and resources in areas such as food,
housing, benefits access, childcare, FEMA or other emergency relief programs and counseling.
Contact the BBNA at [email protected]
Apply for:
To Donate to the Bulldog Basic Needs Alliance visit our Mobile Cause site:
You can also give by texting BBNA to 41444.
BULLDOG BASIC NEEDS ALLIANCE
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The Bulldog Basic Needs Alliance (BBNA) is a committee comprised of volunteer members
of the Ferris State University campus and Big Rapids community, who work collaboratively
to ensure the academic and personal success of our students. We understand that when
a student is hungry, or does not have a secure place to live, they cannot reach their
full potential. The BBNA committee members are uniquely placed in departments across
campus and in the community to ensure that students facing food or housing insecurity
can be provided assistance as quickly and confidentially as possible.
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Ferris State University is committed to the academic and personal success of our students
and understand that basic needs have a direct impact on the well-being and success
of our students. The Bulldog Basic Needs Alliance provides emergency assistance to
current students facing food or housing insecurity which would otherwise jeopardize
their ability to stay in school.
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The Bulldog Basic Needs Alliance WILL:
- Be human centered. Remembering that students are humans first, all outreach, communications,
paperwork, and processes will be handled with extreme confidentiality and sensitivity.
- Act quickly. Emergency aid needs to be delivered fast to be meaningful for students.
We will aim for no more than a 48-hour turnaround from application to distribution.
- Minimize barriers. Unnecessary hurdles harm students and we will work to eliminate
this concern by ensuring the eligibility criteria are clear and as easy to meet as
possible.
- Reach for equity. In reviewing cases and making determinations, we will consider
if the student has access to other grant resources (perhaps based on academic merit)
and help them pursue those instead, saving the emergency fund for students lacking
similar advantages.
- Emphasize community awareness. By advertising widely and creating a physical presence
on campus, we will ensure that all students are aware that there is confidential emergency
assistance available to them.
- Provide additional resources. We understand that financial assistance is important
but should not be given alone. Students who receive assistance from the Alliance will
also be provided with additional information and resources in areas such as food,
housing, benefits access, childcare, FEMA or other emergency relief programs and counseling.
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Founded in 1884, Ferris State University was built on the vision of our founders,
Woodbridge and Helen Ferris, that anyone who wished for a college education, could
obtain one here. We are proud of this heritage and the mission of our founders continues
to drive our focus on collaboration, diversity, ethical community, and opportunity.
The Bulldog Basic Needs Alliance provides emergency assistance to current students
on our Big Rapids campus who find themselves in a situation where they are food or
housing insecure. The type of assistance provided by the BBNA depends on many factors,
but briefly, we pledge to provide meal swipes, short term housing assistance, resources
for additional food/housing assistance and the follow up necessary to ensure a long
term solution.
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- You must be a current Ferris (Big Rapids campus) student.
- You must be able to demonstrate need (this can be done through a clear description
of your situation).
- The need must be immediate.
- In such cases where we must prioritize assistance, priority will be given to full-time
students (with the exception of students taking a reduced course load to accommodate
a disability), students who have already completed a FAFSA form, and students who
are out of other funding opportunities, including the Opportunity @125 scholarship.
- How can I apply?
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- The Bulldog Basic Needs Alliance is unlike other grant and scholarship programs. We
serve students facing an immediate need who may not have time to file applications
for scholarships or grants. We do not require our recipients to provide testimonials
or thank-you notes. This is a fully confidential assistance program. However, as it
stands right now, the BBNA does not receive any ongoing funding, instead relying upon
donations and grants from outside entities. We welcome and encourage support from
our Ferris community. Support may be monetary, or it may be a donation of your time
through assisting with a swipe drive or grant-writing. If you wish to engage with
the committee, please feel free to reach out to us at [email protected].
- To Donate to the Bulldog Basic Needs Alliance visit our Mobile Cause site: https://igfn.us/form/1IM1Xg, or by texting BBNA to 41444.
- You may also contact Dining Services and designate the purchase of a meal plan specifically
for the Bulldog Basic Needs Alliance. We will then allocate those purchased meals
into our “swipe fund”.
- You may donate your own unused meal swipes using the same method outlined above.
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- I am embarrassed for people to know that I am suffering from food/housing insecurity.
Is this confidential? Any assistance students receive from the BBNA is confidential. In the case of food
insecurity, we are able to transfer meal swipes directly to your Ferris ID. For students
requiring a short term housing solution, our temporary housing unit is self-contained
and private.
- Will I have to apply for benefits in person? The BBNA has set up a convenient online application portal. It is not necessary to
apply in person. Applicants may be contacted by a BBNA committee member if they require
additional information, but this will typically be done through phone or email.
- I am a current Ferris student, but I do not attend on the main campus. Will I be
eligible? Unfortunately, due to our current levels of funding, we only have enough support to
assist students who are on our Big Rapids campus. We hope to be able to expand this
assistance in the future, but in the meantime, we would be happy to help you seek
out local food/housing resources in your area.
- How long will it take to receive assistance, once I have applied? The BBNA aims to provide a response as quickly as possible, preferably within 24
hours, but no more than 48.
- How do I “demonstrate immediate need”? Demonstrating immediate need simply means that you have to be able to show that you
currently are or will shortly be food or housing insecure. This can be a brief explanation
of your current situation, an eviction notice, or anything else which would describe
why you need this assistance.
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