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  1. Home
  2. Office of Development

Dr. Omid Ansary Student Emergency Assistance Fund

If you are a student looking for assistance during a financial emergency, please click here.

Sometimes, great students run out of options when faced with financial emergencies. They have exhausted their financial aid, do not meet qualifications for certain grants or scholarships, yet they still need a bit of additional funding to continue their education. Too often, this amount can be as little as $100.

The Dr. Omid Ansary Student Emergency Assistance Fund was established to help these students in times of unforeseen financial hardships.

With your gift, you can help make sure that no one falls through the cracks. You can support this fund by: 

  • Through the Ansary Fund Page
  • Texting OASEAF to 41444
  • Contacting Jodi Grothe in the Development Office at (717) 948-6316 or [email protected]

If you are aware of students in need, you can refer them to the Office of Financial Aid by filling out this form or have them fill it out directly themselves.

The purpose of the Dr. Omid Ansary Student Emergency Assistance Fund is to provide short-term assistance to students managing demanding academic schedules while struggling with debilitating and unexpected circumstances. This fund is able to help students who have experienced situations such as:

  • a job loss (either a parent’s or their own),
  • suddenly found themselves with no place to live
  • been burdened with unforeseen medical expenses
  • and many other kinds of acute and devastating financial crises

We want to ensure that all academically eligible students are able to persevere through circumstances out of their control. Unexpected financial distress can often mean the difference between a student staying on track to graduate or falling desperately behind. History has shown that when a student drops out of college, they are less likely to return as time passes. To give you an idea of just how important an emergency fund like this is to our campus community, here are some important facts to consider:

  • 3,404 students qualify for aid
  • 76% of enrolled students receive aid from grants and loans
  • 30% of enrolled students are PELL eligible
  • $14,580 is the average unmet need per student
  • 744 students receive university scholarships
  • $34,029 is the average loan debt for graduating students with loans

As you can see from these statistics, one emergency situation can put many of our students in jeopardy of having their college dreams derailed. Your support of this fund can ensure that no student gets left behind.

Give to the Fund now!

Student Appreciation

"As a student trying to make my way to college graduation during a worldwide pandemic, I don’t think the words ‘thank you’ could ever quite explain how much appreciation I feel. The gift you have so graciously given me not only alleviates financial burden but helps to greatly relieve my stress levels. Your generosity and investment in my education inspires me to pay it forward in terms of my own contribution to others. I am excited to see what the future brings. Thank you again for helping me in my time of need." Amanda '21

Dr. Omid Ansary

Dr. Omid Ansary

Dr. Ansary has been a dutiful and valued servant of Penn State Harrisburg for over 35 years. Most recently, he has served as the Senior Associate Dean for Academic Affairs and Administration since July of 2010. Throughout his entire career, Dr. Ansary’s commitment to and passion for helping students succeed has been unparalleled. His leadership and dedication have been a driving force behind many important student-centered initiatives at the college.

As of June 30, 2023, Dr. Ansary will be stepping down as the Senior Associate Dean for Academic Affairs and Administration. To recognize his years of dedicated service to student success, the Student Emergency Assistance Fund was renamed in his honor.

Don’t forget...

Your support of our campaign is a tax-deductible gift. Please check with your employer to see if they match charitable giving. You can click here to see if your company matches contributions.

Office of Development

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See Also

  • Give Online Now!
  • Development and Alumni Relations
  • Capital Society
  • We Are -- The Magazine of Penn State Philanthropy
Pennsylvania map showing Penn State campuses with Penn State Harrisburg highlighted

Penn State Harrisburg

A comprehensive college in southcentral Pennsylvania offering more than 70 undergraduate and graduate programs.
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