LaGuardia Community College Receives $10,000 Emergency Aid Microgrant from NASPA
LONG ISLAND CITY, NY (June 24, 2025) — NASPA – Student Affairs Administrators in Higher Education announced on June 17 LaGuardia Community College /CUNY was one of five recipients of the 2025 NASPA Emergency Aid Microgrant awards, sponsored by TIAA. These microgrants provide vital financial support to students facing unexpected financial crises, helping them persist in their educational journeys and complete their degrees.
Unexpected and emergency expenses remain a persistent barrier to on-time college completion and student success. Research shows that a significant number of students report they would be unable to cover an emergency expense of $500 within a month. NASPA is committed to addressing the basic needs of college students, and emergency aid grants play a critical role in supporting students through financial hardships.
This year, NASPA is awarding emergency aid microgrants of up to $10,000 to five higher education institutions across the country. These funds will enable institutions to provide emergency financial support directly to students, helping them address urgent needs such as housing, food, transportation, and unexpected medical expenses. In addition to LaGuardia Community College, the 2025 NASPA Emergency Aid Microgrant Awardees also included: Community College of Aurora, Grambling State University, South Louisiana Community College, and University of Houston-Downtown.
“The financial challenges students face—often unexpected and urgent—can significantly derail their educational progress,” said NASPA President, Dr. Amelia Parnell. “By providing these emergency aid microgrants, NASPA, in partnership with TIAA, aims to empower institutions to directly support students in times of financial hardship, ensuring they remain on track toward earning their degrees.”
“Obtaining a college degree significantly improves earning potential and the ability to work toward achieving a financially secure retirement,” said Laura Turner, Head of Community Impact at TIAA. “TIAA’s mission to secure retirements for millions more workers is rooted in everything we do. We’re proud to support the NASPA Emergency Aid Microgrant program and celebrate institutions leading the way in practical student-centered support that leads to more students graduating.”
“We are proud to be one of five institutions selected to receive the NASPA TIAA Emergency Aid Microgrant, and the only college in the northeast to do so,” said Dr. Alexis McLean, Vice President for Student Affairs. “These funds will go a long way in allowing us to assist students with small costs that have a big impact on their ability to persist.”
“Unexpected and emergency expenses remain a persistent barrier to on-time college completion and student success—especially for students attending public two-year colleges,” said Dr. Rhonda Mouton, Director of LaGuardia CARES. “This grant will enable us to provide critical support to our most vulnerable populations, and we are deeply grateful for this opportunity. Every dollar makes a difference in helping our students stay on track and achieve their academic goals.”
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NASPA is the leading association for the advancement, health, and sustainability of the student affairs profession. Our work provides high-quality professional development, advocacy, and research for 15,000 members in all 50 states, 25 countries, and 8 U.S. territories.
TIAA provides secure retirements and outcome-focused investment solutions to millions of people and thousands of institutions. It paid more than $5.9 billion in lifetime income to retired clients in 2024 and has $1.4 trillion in assets under management (as of 12/31/2024). TIAA wealth management solutions are offered directly online and through TIAA’s Wealth Management advisors and financial planners. TIAA wealth management advisors manage client investments through a range of proprietary and non-proprietary options including IRAs.
LaGuardia Community College (LAGCC), a Hispanic-Serving Institution, located in Long Island City, Queens offers more than 50 associate degrees and academic certificates, and more than 65 continuing education programs to prepare New Yorkers for transfer to senior colleges and rewarding jobs and careers. An institution of the City University of New York (CUNY), the College reflects the legacy of our namesake, Fiorello H. LaGuardia, the former NYC mayor beloved for his advocacy of the underserved. Since 1971, LaGuardia’s academic programs and support services have advanced the socioeconomic mobility of students from Queens, NYC and beyond.
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