Officials are encouraging the GW community to donate to a student financial assistance fund as U.S. cases of COVID-19 rise, according to a University release Tuesday.

Administrators are pushing members to donate to the GW Cares Student Assistance Fund, which supports students facing financial hardship to offset income from lost part-time jobs, subsidize transportation expenses for students traveling home and pay for students’ housing, food and technology costs, according to the release. Students seeking financial support from the fund can apply for assistance through an online form, according to the release.

The release states that students’ current financial needs exceed the support GW has already provided.

“These are some of the most pressing hardships created by the evolving COVID-19 public health situation,” the release states.

The release states that University benefactors will match all GW Cares donations up to to $100,000 through the end of the semester. Alumni, faculty, staff and other “community members” have made initial contributions to the fund, according to the release.

Vice President of Student Affairs and Dean of Students Cissy Petty encouraged alumni, staff, family and friends of the GW community to donate to the fund to “lessen” students’ financial burden.

“The strength of the GW community is the support we give to each other,” Petty said in the release. “Even now, while some of us may be facing an uncertain future, your willingness to provide a little extra support is appreciated. Together, as a community, let’s show our students how much they mean to us, and that we want them to be successful in life.”