A gift of $120,000 will help West Chester University students in financial need pay for meals, books, and other expenses.

The donation comes from Student Services, Inc. (SSI) and PSECU.

Bernie Carrozza, chairman of the SSI Board of Directors, and Amanda Altice, community manager at the PSECU Financial Education Center, will be among those presenting the $120,000 check to West Chester University President Christopher Fiorentino on Oct. 22 at 3 PM in the WCU Campus Store in Sykes Student Union.

The gift will offer $40,000 in meal swipes for students; $40,000 for book scholarships and gifts-in-kind from the WCU Campus Store; and $40,000 awarded to students in the form of monetary micro awards. Awards will be managed by the WCU Office of Financial Aid.

“SSI understands that not all students enter a college or university with everything that is needed to be successful,” said Carrozza. “Many are unaware that food, books, and funds to afford daily necessities are not always readily available to students.

“SSI stands ready to ensure that these students have what they need to fuel their academic goals. We admire these students for their perseverance and determination, and we are honored to be able to support their commitment to academic excellence.”

PSECU said the funding will help promising students achieve their educational goals.

“PSECU has a long history of being a dedicated member of the communities we serve,” said PSECU University Development Director Mike Verotsky. “We are continually looking for ways to make a difference in the lives of others.”

Florentino said West Chester University is committed to doing whatever it can to remove barriers that impede student success.

“We feel fortunate to be able to align with partners who feel very much the same,” he said. “SSI and PSECU continue to meet our students’ needs in very real ways. “

SSI is a not-for-profit organization designed to serve the students of West Chester University. It initiates, regulates, and operates the financial matters of the university’s co-curricular student activities.