SMU students who are facing financial hardship can find some relief from a new $2.5 million fund. The University yesterday [May 4] announced an SMU Resilience Fund to help students in need. Funds come from SMU's own resources and contributions from the SMU community and donors. Under a new Undergraduate Supplementary Assistance Plan, undergraduates whose gross monthly household per capita income does not exceed $500 and whose family members' livelihoods are affected by Covid-19 will can receive a one-off $500 grant each, which does not need to be repaid. Last month, SMU also set up a Global Exposure Contingency Fund to defray financial costs of students affected by the cancellation of overseas programmes. The SMU Dato' Kho Hui Meng Career Centre is also in touch with employers to facilitate permanent and contract employment, and is reaching out to SMU alumni to offer fresh graduates traineeships and jobs. The SMU Law Academy has started a Covid-19 online seminar series for the legal profession, with net proceeds from the webinar fees going towards supporting law students affected by the pandemic. SMU President Professor Lily Kong said some students have family members whose livelihoods have been affected, while some others may have lost their part-time income. She added, "The SMU Resilience Fund illustrates a whole-of-university effort as we stand in solidarity in our response to the pandemic."
