The COVID-19 pandemic has affected almost everyone, and college students are no exception. With schools increasingly turning to online classes, funding options changing by the day, and legitimate concerns about health popping up around every corner, college has become more difficult to navigate. Here’s some good news: you’re not alone. NSCS is proud to offer college students support during this challenging, unprecedented time.
Scholarship Opportunities
Many on-campus jobs have been disrupted by the pandemic. Perhaps you were also unable to take a summer job as planned, and maybe your parent even lost their job or experienced a reduction in income over the past few months. NSCS offers scholarship opportunities that could help defray part of the cost of college attendance. We award more than $500,000 in funding to deserving students each year. Browse this list of available awards and scholarships to learn more.
Networking Opportunities
Has the pandemic forced you to move back home and commute to class? Maybe you’re living off-campus and struggling with the added expenses that brings. Pooling resources can help address these hardships. You can carpool to class with other students, saving you money on gas. Maybe you can find a new friend to share an apartment with and save on rent. NCSC offers great networking opportunities, especially for first and second-year students. You can meet other students in the same boat, pool your resources, and work together to pull through this.
Emotional Support
If you ever start to feel overwhelmed by the demands of college, the pandemic, and the adjustment that comes with online learning, it’s a good idea to seek help! NCSC partners with Active Minds, an organization that brings mental health resources to campuses across the country. You can use their referral resources to find an therapist near you. They also offer some excellent resources on self-care and mental health. With so many unknowns in the world right now, it’s important to make mental health a priority and really keep up with your self-care, no matter how busy your class schedule may be.
Remote Advisement
If your college has moved to all or mostly online classes, you’ll have a harder time simply popping into your advisor’s office whenever you have a question. Remote advisement can help ensure you keep moving forward and making smart decisions about your education. While we don’t want to replace the department advisors at your college, NCSC can connect you with mentors in your field who will be happy to offer advice and support via email, video chat, or another remote format. These mentors can answer questions about everything from the best classes to take to how to find internships in today’s unique job market.
The COVID-19 pandemic has turned college on its head in many ways. If you’re willing to get creative, use the resources available, and collaborate with others, you can still get a great education and face challenges head-on! Let NCSC support you in this endeavor with our scholarship opportunities, networking events, and mentorship programs.
