College is a time of growth, promise and momentum, but it is also a time when many students and their families are living without a financial safety net. A car repair, a medical expense, an empty pantry or an unexpected family crisis can quickly threaten a student's ability to stay enrolled, even when they are academically strong and deeply committed to finishing their degree.
At Berry, a network of emergency-focused funds exists for one essential reason: to make sure that temporary hardship does not derail long-term potential. On April 8, 2026, Berry's first-ever Day of Giving, we are shining a light on the ways the Berry community can help students weather difficult moments and keep moving forward.
A lifeline in moments of crisis: The Save a Student Scholarship
The Save a Student Scholarship exists for those moments when trouble comes without warning. Designed to be flexible and responsive, these scholarships provide immediate support to students facing sudden financial distress — helping cover urgent expenses so they can remain enrolled and focused on their education. Whether the need stems from a personal emergency or a family hardship, Save a Student support often arrives at a pivotal moment, offering not just financial relief, but reassurance that the Berry community is standing with them. That support can make the difference between stopping out and staying the course.
The Berry African-American Alumni Chapter (BAAAC) Save a Student Scholarship builds on this same purpose while recognizing that many students from underrepresented backgrounds face emergencies without access to a financial buffer. Through collective giving, BAAAC alumni are helping ensure that these students have a lifeline when it matters most — and the opportunity to one day join the alumni ranks themselves.
Compassionate support, close to home: The David Shankles Student Emergency Fund
Some needs require especially swift, personal intervention. Established in memory of a beloved Berry student, the David Shankles Student Emergency Fund provides direct assistance to students facing unexpected financial emergencies, from medical needs and urgent travel to food shortages and school-transition costs.
Managed through an appeals process by the Chaplain's Office and the Dean of Students, the fund offers care that is both practical and deeply human — meeting students where they are, during some of their most vulnerable moments. Each year, it helps dozens of students stay enrolled when circumstances beyond their control threaten to interrupt their education. This fund reflects one of Berry's core values: care for the whole student. When donors give to the David Shankles Student Emergency Fund, they are helping ensure that compassion is backed by action.
Meeting basic needs with dignity: The Student Food Pantry
Academic success depends on meeting basic needs. Berry's on-campus student food pantry, The Market, was created to support students facing food insecurity by providing reliable access to essential food and necessities. As demand continues to grow, The Market is expanding and relocating to the Krannert Center, the heart of student life.
Support for the Student Food Pantry Fund helps keep shelves stocked, strengthens partnerships that expand available resources and supports future improvements that respond to students' evolving needs. Donor support ensures that no student has to choose between meals and momentum.
