ATLANTA — Clark Atlanta University announced this week that they will cancel student account balances from the spring 2020 semester through the summer 2021 semester.
University President Dr. George T. French said all student account balances from that time period will be brought to zero. The relief also applies to alumni.
[DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks]
“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 President French. “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.”
TRENDING STORIES:
- 1 dead, 6 injured in early morning boat accident on Georgia lake
- Sinkhole opens up along exit ramp from Interstate 285 in Cobb County
- Brookhaven police pursuing armed suspect, tell residents to stay in homes
French said the university’s ability to provide relief is due to the substantial amount of support it has gotten from the federal government under the CARES Act Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund.
“We were able for the first time in history to do something and give them relief,” French said.
With the funds, CAU has been able to provide emergency financial aid dollars, refund some housing and meal charges, discount tuition and fees for the 2020-2021 school year, buy WIFI hot spots for students with no internet at home and buy 4,000 laptops for every financially enrolled student.
“I was speechless, I was speechless to hear just such great news,” said student Autymn Epps. “To know that I don’t have a debt to the university and I’m able to just apply for classes, and I’m speaking on behalf of the student body, to apply a fresh start and get a clean slate financially, who wouldn’t ask for a better blessing.”
[SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter]
This initiative will not impact students’ future financial aid eligibility because it is a one-time outstanding balance cancelation.
©2021 Cox Media Group
:quality(70)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/cmg/6IRW26KKM5GAHASQVE4WNYIDKA.png)
:quality(70)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/cmg/CEUTW7B2JNERRP5OOHPUXJNJSM.jpg)
:quality(70)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/cmg/ZAYTSGF2CZF63ENV6SO45VPLWY.jpg)
:quality(70)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/cmg/YUGYNPS4NFHHTLQF7IEXWT7RNI.jpg)
:quality(70)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/cmg/ALWHDWHZTRFXNOV3FN6VSQ3XCM.jpg)