The Wells Fargo West Region Military Grants program has awarded a $25,000 grant to Renton Technical College (RTC) to provide emergency support to students at the college who are veterans of the armed services.

The grant will allow qualified veterans to receive up to $500 in emergency support to cover expenses such as childcare, food, housing, and other critical needs. As many as 50 of the college’s current students could be eligible for this one-time support.

“We are grateful to Wells Fargo for supporting our veteran students, so that they can complete their programs, find good work, and improve the quality of their lives,” said Dr. Kevin McCarthy, president at RTC. “They have already served their country with distinction, and we appreciate what they are now adding to our communities.”

“Wells Fargo salutes RTC for such incredible support of its veteran students,” said Patrick Yalung, Wells Fargo Washington region president. “We hope our funding helps RTC students fulfill their career aspirations and succeed in life. This grant is an investment in their future.” Renton Technical College had 205 students in 2015-16 who reported having served in the military services or are dependents of veterans. About 73 percent of these students received some form of veterans’ assistance with their expenses.

Renton Technical College provides dedicated counseling, tutoring and financial support to make their experience at the college more successful. However, financial aid and other benefits don’t always cover the kinds of emergency expenses that can often cause a student to drop out.

“This generous grant by Wells Fargo will help RTC to address this gap in financial assistance,” said Brenda Thompson, veterans advisor at RTC. “Five hundred dollars may seem small to some, but it can make a world of difference to a student facing the choice between paying the rent and keeping the lights on.”