CARES ACT FUNDING LIFTS STUDENTS’ FINANCIAL BURDENS, ADDITIONAL SUPPORT TO COME
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he effects of the ongoing health crisis have weighed down employees and college students alike. COVID-19 outbreaks would lead to days and days of quarantine, barring us from fellowship with family and friends and keeping us out of our go-to hangouts and shopping stores. In late March, the CARES Act, or the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act, was signed into law, coming to the rescue of anxious Americans. Government officials decided that 1.5 percent of the $2 trillion stimulus bill would provide relief for states and educational institutions, with $1.7 million being distributed to eligible CCC students. Karen Woods-Done, the director of the Division of Student Engagement, is delighted that a share of the amount has supported CCC students in pursuit of their career dreams. “With all of the challenges that our students are facing as a result of COVID-19, it is with joy that we are able to support our students through the Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund of the CARES Act,” Woods-Done expressed. “These funds were able to help our students meet a multitude of needs, like food insecurity, internet, lights, transportation needs, etc.” Woods-Done also disclosed information related to the second wave of funds set to be released soon under the bill. “CCC was awarded an additional $1.5 million in January 2021 to assist currently enrolled students who meet specific criteria, such as completion of a FAFSA, and have completed an application for Mississippi state aid. I want to encourage those who have thought about going to school to enroll now. Now is the time. CCC has money available to assist you financially. For those who are enrolled, make sure you complete the application once it becomes available. We are thankful that we can continue to assist our students with meeting their financial needs.” Fifteen percent of the stimulus package picked up unforeseen costs with the authorization of direct payments to burdened Americans. The College’s financial aid director, Luke Howard, pointed out that students and their families have dealt with
hardships railing off access to technology, childcare, employment, and mental health. “It was important to use those funds as an emergency cash grant to help ease the burdens that may have seemed unbearable,” said Howard. “We encourage students to use the funds to help support their educational efforts as well as to eliminate financial barriers that may cause them to lose focus on their educational goals.” CCC President Dr. Valmadge T. Towner noticed how the funds saved the institution from a harsher impact. “Like most institutions, Coahoma has struggled to fulfill its mission of providing educational services to its constituents during this pandemic. Due to COVID infections, fear of contracting the virus and downturns in the economy of our communities, COVID has had a negative toll on our enrollment, as families are wrestling to make ends meet. A correlate to a decrease in enrollment is a decrease in revenue for the College,” Towner detailed. “Funds emanating from the CARES Act have served as a pseudo lifeline for our students and the College. In my view, Coahoma would have to implement far more extreme and hurtful measures to operate and withstand the impact of COVID if it were not for CARES Act funds. With funds from the CARES Act, we have been able to maintain a fair level of normalcy during a highly unprecedented time.” For more information regarding the release of funds through the CARES Act, contact the Office of Financial Aid at 662.621.4200.
SCAN TO LEARN MORE ABOUT CARES ACT & HEERF FUNDING AT COAHOMA.
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