Organization lends a helping hand to those in need.
As student loan debt continues to pile up around the country, some Ohio University students are trying to help their fellow Bobcats — who otherwise may not be able to stay in Athens — pay for school.
Students in Philanthropy was created by seniors Zainab Kandeh, Student Senate treasurer, and Rose Troyer with the mission to fundraise for other students in helps of both starting their college careers and keeping them enrolled.
The group’s goal is to raise $2,019, for students who will graduate in 2019. While the group has not yet given out any scholarship money, they aim to do so for the next freshman class.
Tuition for the 2014-15 school year is $10,536 for Ohio residents.
“One of my main motivating factors for starting Students in Philanthropy was because I was tired of seeing friends that I cared about go home (because of financial hardships),” Kandeh said.
Kandeh, the chair of the organization, said personal experience with others financially helping her added to her decision to start the organization.
“I always felt so great that there were students who were raising funds to help me stay in school, so I figured maybe we should have an organization where their sole purpose is to do that, to give back to students on campus,” Kandeh said.
Troyer, co-chair of the group, said many students, “don’t really think about how much it costs for a student to stay here.”
Niaree Williams, the new fund manager for Students in Philanthropy, said she joined because she likes to give back.
“I understand that people have financial problems … I almost didn’t come to college because of the financial problems,” said Williams, a freshman pre-med student studying biology.
The main focus of the organization currently has been preparing for National Philanthropy Day, which is happening Nov. 14. The group is planning a big event to draw more attention to its cause on this day.
Part of how the organization attracts donors is by doing raffles and contests to win items like iPads or even a car. They also want to give students a care package, but Williams said, “not the typical care package” consisting of food. Instead, the group wants to focus on items students need for school such as books, index cards and other miscellaneous supplies.
David Johnson, OU’s assistant director of Annual Giving in the Office of University Advancement, advises the group.
It is, “important for students to know how their education is funded, and to have the opportunity to make a difference in the lives of other students,” Johnson said, in an email.
The Office of Financial Aid will distribute the money the organization raises, but Students in Philanthropy is able to put certain stipulations on the recipient.
Kandeh said the organization wants the money to go to a student who has an Estimated Family Contribution of zero, with preference given to those who are either coming out of foster care or have had experience within the foster care system.
Students can get more information by emailing ohiosip14@gmail.com.
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