
My name is Ashley and I am a senior at Ferris State University, originally from Houghton
Lake, Michigan. I am currently enrolled in the Advertising program working towards
my bachelor's degree. I am also working towards my associate in Marketing and a certificate
in Digital Marketing.
Due to the recent COVID-19 emergency, we have no longer been able to attend school
or work. I am a student on campus and I work off-campus, but I have been laid off
due to the COVID-19 situation. I have not been able to work for almost a month now.
I am not taking any summer classes, but I will be taking classes in the fall. I am
usually beginning to pick up more hours due to the end of the school year, but that
is not possible. My parents are struggling financially due to this crisis, so it is
hard for them to help me with expenses like rent.
With the help of the Student Hardship Fund, I can put more money towards expenses
and bills that I am struggling to pay for during these times. I would like to personally
thank you for donating to the Student Hardship Fund, which will help me and many other
students.
I hope everyone is staying safe and has a wonderful day.

I want to sincerely thank you all for supporting the Student Hardship Fund. Your generous
gift will help me to get through this tough time, as my family and I are struggling
financially at the moment.
My parents own a small business that hasn't been doing well this past year and now,
with COVID-19, it’s doing even worse. They are trying to file for unemployment, but
have not been able to reach anyone as it has been swamped and the line is constantly
busy. My parents are not able to help me with my expenses, as they can't afford their
own expenses right now and have gone weeks without a paycheck.
Even though I am living back home in Whitehall, Michigan, I have an off-campus apartment
and my lease requires me to still pay for rent. I lost my on-campus job, since the
campus is closed, which previously paid my expenses. The Student Hardship Fund has
helped me to pay my rent, utilities, and car payment. It has been a huge help and
I am so grateful for your generous donations that made this fund a possibility.
My family and I have been through a lot these past few years. My mom was diagnosed
with breast cancer and that, along with their struggling business, has created a lot
of emotional and financial stress on us all. It's financial opportunities like the
Student Hardship Fund that have helped get me through all of it and allowed me to
be able to focus on my educational and career goals. Therefore, I can't thank you
enough for your kindness and generosity as your gift is truly helping me stay afloat
in this tough time.
Thank you!
"My name is Zachary and I would like to say thank you for everything you have done
for Ferris students through your gift to the Student Hardship Fund. I think I speak
for everyone when I say that you really have changed a lot of people's lives with
your donations. Now, people like me, that don’t have anyone out there to help them,
can worry a little less when it comes to buying essential items like toilet paper,
shampoo, and even food. If it weren’t for people like you, and the people at Ferris,
I wouldn’t even be able to graduate this semester with my CAD/Drafting and Tool Design
degree. I can’t express how thankful I am."
-Zachary
“I would like you to know that I greatly appreciate your generosity in trying times
like these. I am currently in my last semester of pre-pharmacy and will begin taking
Ferris pharmacy classes in the fall. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, I have lost both
my jobs, so the wonderful donation I received will help me pay my rent and car insurance,
as well as pay for my clinical passports for pharmacy school. Thank you for helping
students like me during this difficult time, it is much appreciated. I hope you and
your families are staying safe and healthy!
Sincerely,
Holly
"First and foremost, I would like to extend my utmost gratitude for the help I received
through the Student Hardship Fund. As we are all aware, these times are unprecedented,
and each day presents new challenges. I am two weeks away from graduating from the
Ferris State University College of Pharmacy. Due to the location of my job (Grand
Rapids) and being on rotations (in Lansing) I was unable to keep working in order
to prevent the spread of the disease.
"I have never been prouder to be a Bulldog than I have been to see the entire community
coming together in this time of need. Your gift is truly appreciated and making a
difference in the lives of students who are facing financial need. I look forward
to the near future where I take my place in the alumni association and can give back
to those in need, like you have so graciously done for me. I could never find the
right words to say thank you, but I hope from this letter you understand how meaningful
your gift has been to me."
“My family and I sincerely appreciate your help. I am a senior studying business
administration and the mother of four young children. My family depends on me for
food, shelter, love, and guidance. During this crisis, the decrease in my work schedule
has put a massive burden of financial loss on my household. There are no words that
can describe how thankful I am for your kindness, but I want you to know that your
gift made a huge difference in my life. Thank you, again, for your love and generosity.”
-Debie
“Thank you for your gift to the Student Hardship Fund! Many students at Ferris are
struggling to pay for our education, and this virus is making it an even heavier burden
to carry, so to create a fund to help students like me is amazing. It feels great
that the college I chose to attend has my back and wants to help me to be successful,
in college and in life. Finding a job has been very difficult since almost all of
the stores are closed and I’m worried about next year and not being able to pay for
all of my expenses. I have worked so incredibly hard to be able to afford an education
since it’s what I highly value. I am a freshman and already have over fifty hours
of community service. I’m part of four different student organizations and hold leadership
roles in two. I’m determined to do well in school and life, and this money will help
me reach my goals. Thank you so much again for this opportunity. I feel beyond blessed.
I am so proud to be a Bulldog!”
-Laura
“I want to send my sincerest thank you for all the help you have provided students
at Ferris State University. Because of this COVID-19 situation, students are at an
unprecedented time of not-knowing and instability. Many of us have permanently lost
our jobs, which formerly helped us pay our bills, put us through school, and most
of all – survive. Your gifts have provided students not only monetary relief but a
boost in morale, showing the goodness in this world and letting us know that people
out there have our backs and want us to succeed. Thank you, not only from me but from
all of us.”
Kevin
“Thank you so much for donating to the Student Hardship Fund. The current situation
put a lot of people in a place where they needed help but didn’t know how to ask.
I come from a >lower-income family, and based on my income my mother had to take me
of all of her assistance So when I returned home she wasn’t prepared food wise. My
main sources of income are from being a student-employee at Ferris and a substitute
bus driver for a local school district, and I lost both. My mom, being an at-risk
person, had to take COVID-19 seriously and took a leave of absence from her job until
this was over. We all lost our income, and when I saw Ferris had a Student Hardship
Fund I thought that maybe this would help for now, until I can find a way to pick
up a part-time job, to get us through a few weeks! Again, thank you so much for donating
to this fund. You have sure helped a lot of students through this tough time that
we are all going through!”
-Ethan