Tacoma, Wash. — A $20,000 grant from the Puyallup Tribe of Indians will help Bates Technical College students experiencing financial crisis stay in school.

The donation to the Bates Technical College Foundation’s Emergency Assistance Program supports students who are most at risk of abandoning their education because of financial hardship.

Director of the Bates Foundation LeAnn Dreier said, “The Bates Foundation is honored to have partners like the Puyallup Tribe of Indians who invest in our students. This contribution will help students pursue and achieve success in post-secondary education. These funds will have a significant positive impact on our student body.”

Nearly 84 percent of Bates students are considered economically disadvantaged, with 18 percent identified as historically underrepresented. The donation will support all students who qualify for emergency assistance through the college’s foundation. Students who receive emergency assistance may use the funds for essential needs, such as utility bills, transportation, child care, groceries and other expenses that may be a barrier to completing their education.

For more information about the Bates Foundation or to donate, please visit BatesTech.edu/Foundation.

About the Bates Technical College Foundation: To support the college, students and the community, the Bates Technical College Foundation was founded in 1992 as a 501(c)3 non-profit organization. Gifts to the foundation fund student scholarships for tuition, books, tools and supplies, support college initiatives and programs, and fund employee professional development, allowing the foundation to fulfill its mission. To learn more, visit BatesTech.edu/Foundation, call 253.680.7160 or email foundation@batestech.edu.

About Bates Technical College: Founded in 1940, Bates Technical College offers certificate and degree opportunities in 45+ career education programs. The college serves approximately 3,000 career training students and 7,000 more community members annually in extended learning, distance learning, high school, and other programs. For more information, go to BatesTech.edu, or call 253.680.7000. Bates Technical College is proudly part of the Washington state community and technical college system.

– Bates Technical College