By the end of the month, the University of Tennessee will be launching a crowdfunding site in order to raise money for a handful of student projects.

The site: VOLstarter.utk.edu, will help to raise money for three current student initiatives. The three current student projects are:

1) $3,000 for architecture students to build wheelchairs ramps, decks, and other needs for disabled residents who do not have the funds themselves, and are having trouble getting into their own homes.

2) $800 to female engineering students so that they can produce a commercial that will entice more women to become engineers.

3) $2,500 to five art graduate students who are looking to travel to New York City, where their artwork is to be presented in the Chelsea Art Gallery District.

“This is a way, with smaller goal amounts, for donors to see their $5, $10, $20 gifts make a difference and see the outcome of that difference,” said Haylee Marshall, senior director of annual giving. “We have been wanting to communicate to alumni that every dollar really does make a difference for the university.”

The new idea of crowdfunding has allowed anyone online to be able to help support budding careers and even fund medical bills. UT sees it as a way to reach out to current students and alumni, so that anyone who has even just a couple extra dollars, can help show support for their school and UT students.

In order to have their initiatives posted on the site as crowdfunding projects, students must submit an application, complete with faculty recommendations and a budget breakdown on how the money will be spent.

If you are moving to Knoxville for college and will be attending UT, rest assured that you will be attending one of the nation’s finest universities that cares about what its students want.