Tallahassee Community College (TCC) announced it will be paying off students’ financial accounts up to $6 million stemming from federal funding. Students eligible have to have been enrolled in TCC from March 2020 through this fall.
The money will be coming out of a grant from the Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund, which was a part of the CARES Act legislation passed during 2020. The CARES Act was designed to provide economic relief during the slowed economy as a result of the COVID pandemic.
TCC also announced it will be providing all students with a $5 daily food credit to be used at the student union or in vending machines.
Student government said they expect students to be excited about the bail out from the federal government.
“I think once students learn about this, they are going to be excited,” said TCC Student Government Association (SGA) President Zaria Meeks. “They will ask, ‘What line do I need to stand in; who do I need to see to get the money?’”
Barbara Wills, vice president for Administrative Services, said this is the first time TTC students have seen legitimate debt relief, rather than grants for costs.
“We have provided grants to students that could be used for tuition and fees as well as other expenses related to COVID and their cost of attendance. This is the first promotion of funds specifically for student debt,” said Wills. “Tallahassee Community College wants to ensure that our students are successful while they are here and debt-free when they graduate. We know the pandemic has made it difficult for so many and are pleased to offer this assistance.”
Additional funds will be available for current and future students in order to attend or for COVID-related emergencies like food, health care, or technology.
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Grant Holcomb is a reporter at the Florida Capital Star and the Star News Network. Follow Grant on Twitter and direct message tips.
Photo “Money” by SCR3AMFR3AK. Background Photo “Tallahassee Community College” by SeminoleNation. CC BY-SA 4.0.
