LA MIRADA, CALIF. --- Biola University’s Student Emergency Relief Fund helped 150 students experiencing tough economic challenges through financial assistance. The Student Emergency Relief Fund, known as SERF, is President Barry H. Corey’s initiative to serve students facing financial challenges due to the economy. Out of 175 students who applied for SERF aid in December 2008, the university’s efforts successfully assisted 100 international and 50 U.S. students to return to Biola for this spring semester.

Students were excited to receive the extra help and would not have been able to return to Biola if it wasn’t for receiving financial assistance from SERF.

“We have commissioned a team of representatives to find creative ways to assist those students who face imminent economic crisis affecting their ongoing enrollment,” said Corey in a message to the Biola community December 2008.

On December 5, 2008 Corey addressed students at chapel and assured them of the school’s stability in spite of the economic downturn facing higher education. Corey commissioned a Student Economic Crisis Response Council made up of representatives across the university to listen and offer advice to students and families in difficult situations. In December, students attended a special meeting to have their questions answered by administration regarding their financial position and its effect on their education. Staff, faculty, alumni and friends of Biola were among the people who donated to the fund.