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College Assistance Fund

Many homeless youth hope to attend college, but wonder how they will pay tuition without help from their parents, who will sign important paperwork on their behalf, how they will juggle long work hours and schoolwork, and where they will stay when the dormitories close during holiday and summer breaks.  Fortunately, federal laws provide financial support for this vulnerable population, however, it’s not nearly enough to cover all college expenses.

Locally, we are also doing our part to support these college-bound homeless youth.  Thanks to collaboration with the College Foundation of North Carolina, over a dozen colleges and universities in the Western North Carolina region have agreed to designate a staff member on campus to help support these youth once they enter college.

The HELP Program recognized that many of the graduating students they serve do not have the financial means to purchase many of the items not covered by financial aid.  Dorm items, housing fees, transportation, text books and school supplies can be costly “extras” for these students.  Without caring adults to help purchase these items, many of these students can easily become discouraged.

The HELP Program’s response to this problem was to create The Henderson County Public Schools College Assistance Fund.    Donations made to this fund will directly benefit identified homeless youth who are pursuing a post-secondary education.

If you are interested in making a tax deductible donation, please send checks to:

The HCPS College Assistance Fund
c/o Henderson County Education Foundation
PO Box 1267
Hendersonville, NC 28739

(Designate “HCPS College Assistance Fund” in the memo line.)