3-13-98

Contacts:
Dennis Peterson, International Students and Scholars, (515) 294- 1120
John McCarroll, University Relations, (515) 294-6137

ISU SETS UP EMERGENCY FUND FOR ASIAN STUDENTS

AMES, Iowa -- Iowa State University students from four Asian countries will have access to $100,000 in emergency financial aid to help deal with currency devaluation in their countries, ISU President Martin Jischke announced today.

The emergency aid, in the form of loans, is being provided by the Office of the Provost, individual ISU colleges and the Office of the President. Students from Indonesia, Korea, Malaysia and Thailand, who are having difficulty making their tuition payments, are eligible to seek the emergency assistance.

The students were advised last month they can extend spring 1998 tuition payments: half the amount due is payable in June and the remainder is due in August. Approximately 200 students have signed up for the extension. During interviews last month, 183 students from the four affected countries said they would need additional aid to continue at ISU this fall.

ISU has 785 students from Indonesia, Korea, Malaysia and Thailand. They represent nearly one-third of all international students at ISU.

"These students are an important part of Iowa State and we are seeking to provide them support as they deal with the impact that currency problems are having in their countries," said President Jischke. "We can't solve the financial problems of every affected student, but we can provide this additional assistance."

Students from the four countries can apply for the emergency assistance beginning Monday, March 23, at the Office of International Students and Scholars. The ISU Foundation is accepting donations for an emergency assistance fund, and the ISU Student Employment Center is working with the Ames Chamber of Commerce to identify additional job prospects in the Ames area for the affected students.

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Revised 3/13/98