Eagles Care Fund Helps Students Weather Pandemic

Michael Henriquez had four classes left this summer to complete his aviation maintenance science degree when the coronavirus pandemic threatened to upend his plans.

Michael Henriquez had four classes left this summer to complete his aviation maintenance science degree when the coronavirus pandemic threatened to upend his plans.

“I had planned on attending summer classes, while working full time to pay for tuition,” he said. “My family was also going to assist me with whatever I couldn’t cover in tuition payments.”

In mid-March, everything fell apart.

The Daytona Beach Campus senior, who recently received the Chairman’s Award from the aviation maintenance science department, found himself struggling to find a job to pay his living expenses and tuition. At the same time, his family took a financial hit, when their restaurant was forced to close, due to the pandemic.

But thanks to the university’s Eagles Care Student Emergency Assistance Fund, some of Henriquez’s financial stress was alleviated. Eagles Care Funds were established at each of Embry-Riddle’s campuses to help students offset unexpected expenses or help pay for tuition or other educational costs during times of crisis.

In light of the pandemic and the critical need it created for students, more than 200 Embry-Riddle donors, faculty, staff and friends collectively contributed over $137,000 to meet the current and future needs of Embry-Riddle students in crisis.

Henriquez was one of nearly 400 students who recently applied for support from the Eagles Care funds.

Henriquez said the Eagles Care monies he received helped him continue his studies and relocate to South Florida, where he is staying with relatives. He still hopes to graduate on time and has a tentative date to report for a position in the military in August

“I can’t express in words how grateful I am for the support Embry-Riddle has given me in these challenging times,” Henriquez said.

Veteran Roy Barnard was juggling work, family and his studies as an Embry-Riddle Worldwide Campus graduate student in California, when the pandemic hit.

Family Stress

Veteran Roy Barnard was juggling work, family and his studies as an Embry-Riddle Worldwide Campus graduate student in California, when the pandemic hit.

Schools and businesses shut down, and suddenly, Barnard’s two sons and his girlfriend Roxie’s two sons, who are all teenagers, were at home doing their schoolwork online. Meanwhile, he was concerned about Roxie, who has an autoimmune disease and was forced to stay home with the onset of the pandemic.

“To say the least, it’s been hard,” he said. “This puts a lot of stress on a person and a family.”

At the same time his family’s expenses increased, Barnard’s work hours were reduced.

The grant he received from the Eagles Care Fund helped his family pay for groceries and bills during this tough time.

“I am truly grateful,” Barnard said.

Dreams Interrupted

Another Eagles Care Fund recipient, Khairul Afiq Zolkafli (pictured at top), was about to finish his aeronautical science degree and pilot training at the Prescott Campus when the coronavirus abruptly halted his progress.

“I used to work on campus at four different jobs to cover my expenses,” said Zolkafli, who came to the U.S. to study through a Malaysian government program. “With the pandemic, I lost my income."

He said Eagles Care funding has been critical in helping him pay his rent and other bills, while he completes his education.

“The money that I received from the Eagles Care Fund helped me a lot and I couldn’t be more grateful,” said Zolkafli. “Life is not easy, but it doesn’t mean we give up.”

You can help students by donating to the university’s Eagles Care Student Emergency Assistance Fund, which covers emergency costs associated with the pandemic and future emergency situations.