To encourage its students to continue their education, Clark Atlanta University (CAU) announced that unpaid student account balances from Spring 2020 to Summer 2021 have been settled.
CAU President Dr. George French Jr. confirmed through a news release that all student accounts for Spring 2020, Summer 2020, Fall 2020, Spring 2021, and Summer 2021 have been brought to a zero balance. Additionally, this act will not impact a student’s financial aid eligibility since it is a one-time cancellation.
“We understand these past two academic years have been emotionally and financially difficult on students and their families due to the Covid-19 pandemic. That is why we will continue to do all we can to support their efforts to complete their CAU education,” said French.
“Their academic and professional future is important to me and the entire Clark Atlanta University family. We care about students and want to lighten their individual and family’s financial load so they can continue their journey in pursuing and attaining their educational and professional goals,” he added.
Federal Aid to the Rescue
All funds used to settle student accounts will come from the CARES Act emergency relief fund.
Money from the federal aid has also been used to purchase 4,000 laptops for financially disadvantaged students and install internet hotspots for students with poor or no internet access at home. More importantly, the school was able to provide emergency financial aid, discounted tuition and fees, and prorated refunds for housing and meal plans.
Financial Assistance
CAU is the latest in a line of colleges attempting to ease the financial burden students have shouldered due to high tuition and pandemic-related economic stress.
The Community College of Philadelphia recently announced that it will use $2.75 million to clear the unpaid balances of 3,500 students so that they can enroll this coming fall semester.
South Carolina State University will also cancel $9.8 million in student loan debt. However, students who have taken out loans from private institutions and the federal government will not be eligible for the waiver.