Students to receive relief payments from community colleges

HARTFORD — A new initiative from the state’s higher education system puts federal relief dollars into the hands of students at 12 community colleges.

Terrence Cheng, president of Connecticut State Colleges and Universities, announced Tuesday the system will spend an estimated $58 million in American Rescue Plan funds on the new Student Support Program.

The plan provides students with sustained payments throughout the school year, encouraging them to continue their studies despite an uneven, pandemic-era economic recovery.

The direct payments can be used for any part of the student’s cost of attendance or for emergency costs related to COVID-19. These costs can include tuition, food, housing, health care (including mental health) and child care.

“We are doing everything in our power to remove external barriers, helping community college students stay in school and complete their degrees,” said Cheng in a statement. “The Student Support Program will provide a boost to assist students and their families in making ends meet.”

While this money can be used for any component of the cost of attendance, Cheng said he would “strongly encourage” those students who have not yet done so to register for classes for the fall 2021 semester.

All students who are or were previously enrolled in a community college at any time since March 13, 2020 are eligible for the first round of direct payments, according to a CSCU press release.

The dollar amount will be $100 or $350 per check, depending on demonstrated financial need on the FAFSA or the Aid Application for Connecticut Undocumented Students.

The emergency grants will be sent this week, mostly via paper checks. Additional payments are expected to be issued in October and December 2021, and in spring 2022, read the release.

School officials said future payments may be limited to currently enrolled students, and will include need-based direct payments and application-based grants for students with high needs.

The funds are not dependent on immigration status, a FAQ for the program read.

“A community college education can be transformational,” said David Levinson, interim president of the Connecticut State Community College, in a statement, “But it is only possible if students have the ability to attend and complete.”

“The Student Support Program is just one step CSCU is taking — using federal stimulus funding — to provide our students with the resources necessary to continue their educational journeys,” he said.

CSCU has previously provided $28 million directly to community college students, according to the organization.

The announcement came weeks after CSCU announced $17 million in debt forgiveness for community college students who accrued or could not pay their dues because of the pandemic. The relief applies to account balances from summer 2019 through spring 2021.

At the time, a CSCU press release teased future announcements related to “student support” in upcoming weeks.

The Board of Regents for Higher Education also voted this spring to keep tuition and most mandatory fees flat at the state colleges and universities.