Hudson County Community College has forgiven $4,861,188 in outstanding financial balances for approximately 4,800 students, made possible due to federal relief funds.
By John Heinis/Hudson County View
The forgiven debt covers all outstanding balances for the Spring, Summer, and Fall 2020, as well as Spring 2021 semesters, when the pandemic imposed catastrophic challenges that disproportionately impacted students.
“COVID-19 has impacted our students and our community physically, emotionally, and economically, and eradicating all students’ outstanding financial balances was simply the right thing to do,” HCCC President Dr. Chris Reber said in a statement.
He added that the expungement was extended to all students, regardless of grade-point average, credits earned, continued enrollment during the pandemic, and the amount of the balance.
The college utilized funding provided through the Higher Education Relief Fund of the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act (CRRSAA), also known as the CARES Act.
HCCC was notified in April that they would receive $8,467,661 in CARES Act funding, as HCV first reported.
The U.S. Department of Education allows colleges and universities to use this funding for any component of students’ attendance, or for emergency costs that have arisen because of the pandemic, including tuition, food, housing, health care, and child care.
Reber added that this funding has been used to aid more than 5,348 individual students to date, with additional funding and support for students forthcoming.
“Hudson County Community College is committed to meeting the academic, social, economic, and emotional needs of all of our students. We are doing all we can to remove barriers that students encounter in achieving their academic and career dreams,” he stated.
Enrollment for the Fall 2021 semester at HCCC, which begins Wednesday, September 1, 2021 and returns to full on-ground operations, is now in progress.
The schedule and details for on-ground, online, and remote courses is available at www.hccc.edu/schedule.
Information about admissions, applying, and comprehensive financial aid opportunities may be obtained by emailing admissions@hccc.edu, texting 732-509-4222, or phoning 201-714-7200.
Bravo! This is a good use for public money.