Johnson C. Smith University is experiencing a significant increase in enrollment for the fall semester, the highest enrollment the university has seen in years. Due to the spike in enrollment, the university has launched an emergency aid campaign to accommodate the influx of students. The university plans to raise $250,000 in 10 days to cover the financial needs of 300 students.

1,378 students are set to enroll this fall semester, including 604 new freshmen. These are the highest enrollment numbers the university has seen since before the COVID-19 pandemic. On the other hand, many students struggle to pay for all their education expenses. The institution runs the risk of hundreds of students not being able to register for classes if they are not financially cleared.

“When we talk about an average gap for students, you’re looking at anywhere between $6,000 to $10,000,” said Davida Haywood, JCSU vice president of student affairs and enrollment management. “After whatever federal financial aid they receive or merit-based scholarships they may receive, what’s left is the responsibility of students and their families. We’re trying to help our students with that gap.”

The university is seeking outside help from the community to donate to its 10-day emergency aid fund to help new students with the cost of tuition and other expenses.

“We are pleased to announce that we have accepted a record number of incoming students across all classifications for the fall 2024 semester,” JCSU Director of Communications and Marketing Cheryl Butler-Brayboy wrote in an email to the JCSU community. “We need to financially clear 300 students by Friday, Aug. 30, 2024.”

Two weeks ago, while in Chicago for the National Association of Black Journalists Convention, JCSU President Valerie Kinloch witnessed a sharp increase in enrollment for the 2024–25 academic year. She started considering how she could assist kids who were struggling financially right away.

“I thought, if we’re really committed to eliminating financial barriers for students who have done everything we’ve asked them to do, we need to exhaust every resource we can,” Kinloch told The Charlotte Observer. “So, this emergency aid campaign was an idea we came up with.”

Classes at the university began on Wednesday. Students have until August 30 to fulfill their financial obligations. To donate to the campaign, click here.