The journey to graduation isn’t a smooth one for every student at Cal Poly. For some, the road to success is marked by unexpected — and costly — events that can cripple a budget or, even worse, derail a promising mind from reaching its potential. The Cal Poly Cares Program aims to make that road a little less bumpy and, ultimately, ensure that every student in need stays on the path to graduation.
The program supports struggling students with the highest needs by providing emergency grants to help offset core expenses — from housing and meals to academic supplies, unplanned emergencies and many things in between. Student Affairs partners throughout campus to create a comprehensive referral network to support students with critical and urgent needs. Since the program launched in 2015, nearly 350 students have received grants. More than one-third were students who needed housing assistance and were at risk of becoming homeless.
Perhaps it’s not surprising then that the program’s greatest support comes from the Cal Poly Foundation Board of Directors. In the program’s first year of existence, the board had 100 percent participation, with members contributing more than $1 million to support Cal Poly Cares grants — a game-changing effort that helped students get through some of the most challenging moments of their college experience.
Students who apply for the Cares Grant have typically come into a one-time financial crisis. Whether it is a broken ankle, the need for an updated eyeglasses prescription, covering rent until their paycheck comes through or replacing a stolen laptop, the grant funding enables students to focus on their education rather than their financial struggles.
To support the Cal Poly Cares Program, contact Cal Poly's Office of Gift Planning at 805-756-7125 or plannedgiving@calpoly.edu for more details.