Grants help UNCA students stay in school after Helene

ASHEVILLE, N.C. — Nearly a year after Helene disrupted life across western North Carolina, UNC Asheville students are still rebuilding with help of resilience grant funds.

The university has distributed $3.9 million in aid to cover tuition and emergency needs.

The grants were made possible through support from the North Carolina General Assembly and are designed to help students from storm-affected areas stay enrolled.

Melanie R. Fox is associate vice chancellor for student affairs and dean of students. 

The UNCA alumnus spoke with several students who credited the grants for making their education possible.

“I talked to a number of students who would not be able to be in school without the benefit of receiving those grants,” Fox said.

Lainie Sopa is a music technology graduate and now works as UNCA admission counselor and campus tour leader.

From storm debris to full parking lots, Sopa recalls the days when the student parking lot hosted a water filtration site run by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.

“It’s kind of crazy now that it’s a full parking lot,” Sopa said.

“We were without students for so long,” Fox said. “It is amazing to see student vehicles back.”

Obi Osaro is an atmospheric science major at UNCA. He also serves as student body president.

Osaro said grant assistance helped him cover the cost of textbooks and replace food he lost during the storm.

“Last year was a pretty tough semester,” Osaro said. “I was able to fund food I lost from Helene.”

The resilience grants are part of a broader wave of support from the university to keep students on their educational pathways.