The Centre for Initiatives in Education (CIE) is transformative in opening the doors to higher education for youth entering university through the Enriched Support Program (ESP).

The purpose of this emergency fund is to provide financial assistance to students participating in ESP who are unable to meet immediate and essential expenses as a result of a temporary hardship related to a personal emergency situation. These hardships can include lack of funds for food, daycare costs, textbooks and supplies, as well as the need for counseling services, or simply missing community support.

“Every year we see ESP students who experience financial hardship and poverty. For students on a low income, it doesn’t take much to create an unexpected setback or unplanned expense that can cut into their food budgets or make it difficult to afford textbooks. Some emergency bursary funding at the right time can really improve their learning conditions and ability to pursue their goal of getting their university education.”

– Jennifer Gilbert, Associate Director, Centre for Initiatives in Education

Carleton supports students not only by providing academic and cultural supports throughout the year, but also by providing emergency funding for such necessities as:

• Food
• Housing
• Childcare
• Textbooks and school supplies
• Medication, unexpected dental and medical expenses
• Clothing (i.e. winter jackets and boots)

The need for emergency funds for the ESP is essential. Our students face a number of unforeseen challenges throughout their ESP year, and it is crucial that we can continue to provide these resources to lighten the burden that these students face. Students entering the Enriched Support Program face barriers to access education already, and so once they have taken this step to transition into post-secondary, we want to be able to support them throughout their entire experience in order for them to succeed.