Clatsop Community College has established a debt elimination program for unpaid account balances for students who were enrolled at the declaration of the national coronavirus pandemic emergency on March 13, 2020, through Spring term of 2021. A total of over $408,000 in outstanding student debt due to the college from enrolled students through this time is eligible to be wiped from CCC student accounts. Funding for this initiative comes from the one-time Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund (HEERF) institutional award from the U.S. Department of Education.
A letter campaign has started to students whose education was interrupted by the pandemic informing them of this debt elimination opportunity. Students will be required to respond to the letter to agree to the college wiping the owed amount. The deadline for students to return a signed approval for the use of the funds on their account is Friday, August 27th. If students have concerns they have not received a letter, they may contact the First Stop/Welcome Center Office by email at registration@clatsopcc.edu with subject line: HEERF Relief or call 503-338-2411.
“Many of our students experienced tremendous financial hardships last year due to the coronavirus pandemic, and we hope that forgiving current unpaid student account balances will help alleviate some of their financial burdens and allow many to continue their education,” said Jerad Sorber, Vice President of Student Success.
Account balance debt elimination notifications were sent to eligible CCC students starting in August. Initial student responses have included surprise and excitement, and recipients have communicated that financial relief alleviates stress for them and their families, as many still struggle financially to continue their education.
In more good news, CCC’s tuition rates for the 2021-22 academic year will remain the same, so students will not experience a tuition increase at this time and will continue to receive a high-quality education at an affordable cost.
“We are thrilled to support our students and help ease some of their financial burdens by forgiving unpaid account balances, and not increasing our tuition rates,” said CCC President Chris Breitmeyer. “We are doing everything we can to make life easier for our students, and hope that by doing these things, they will be able to stay on track to complete their degrees.”
Students who need additional financial aid resources are encouraged to apply for scholarships, complete the FAFSA, and contact CCC’s Financial Aid Department for support.
Applications are still open for this fall semester, which starts September 27th. Individuals interested in enrolling for online or in-person classes can apply online or visit the First Stop office in Columbia Hall at the Lexington campus in Astoria.
Non-Discrimination Declaration- It is the policy of Clatsop Community College that there will be no discrimination or harassment on the grounds of race, color, sex, gender, marital status, religion, national origin, age, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression or disability in any educational programs, activities, or employment. Questions or complaints should be directed to Desiree Noah, Affirmative Action/Gender Equity (Title IX) Officer, Lower Library, Suite 103, dnoah@clatsopcc.edu 503-338- 2450; TDD 503-338-2468. The Director of Student Access Services, Mallory Vollner, is in Columbia Hall, Suite 111, mvollner@clatsopcc.edu 503-338-2474.
Accommodations- Persons having questions about or a request for special needs and accommodation should contact JoAnn Zahn, Vice President of Finance and Operations, at Clatsop Community College, 1651 Lexington Avenue, Astoria, Oregon 97103, Lower Library Suite 110, jzahn@clatsopcc.edu Phone (503) 338-2421 or TDD (503) 338-2468. Please send special needs and accommodations requests here. Contact should be made at least two business days in advance of the event.
Declaración de no-discriminación- Es la política de Clatsop Community College que no habrá ningún tipo de discriminación o acoso por razón de raza, color, sexo, género, estado civil, religión, origen nacional, edad, orientación sexual, identidad de género o expresióno discapacidad en los programas educativos, actividades o en la contratación. Preguntas o quejas deben ser dirigidas al Desiree Noah, Oficial de Acción Afirmativa / Título IX localizado en Library número 103 dnoah@clatsopcc.edu número de teléfono 503-338-2450, TDD (discapacidad auditiva) 503-338-2468. Director de Servicios de acceso para estudiantes, Mallory Vollner, se encuentra en Columbia Hall, numero 111, mvollner@clatsopcc.edu número de teléfono 503-338-2474. Para ADA y otras peticiones de servicios llame al 503-338-2474 o para TDD (discapacidad auditiva) 503-338-2468.
Ayuda a personas discapacitadas- En cuanto a las personas discapacitadas, se les pide que se comuniquen con JoAnn Zahn, la Vice Presidente de Finanzas y Operaciones en Clatsop Community College, 1651 Lexington Avenue, Astoria, Oregon 97103, Library Suite 110, jzahn@clatsopcc.edu número teléfonico (503) 338-2421 o a TDD (503) 338-2468. Haga el favor de notificar a la oficina para que se le pueda proporcionar apoyo. La comunicación debe tomar lugar por lo menos dos días de trabajo antes del evento por el cual se requiera tal ayuda. Para más información, vea la página Web de Clatsop Community College bajo Información en Español.
