EUGENE, Ore. — Lane Community College (LCC) announced plans today to disburse approximately $10.4 million in student emergency grants and balance forgiveness. Funding is provided by the federal Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund (HEERF).
LCC plans to distribute $8.8 million in emergency financial aid grants during the upcoming academic year to students who are or were enrolled during the pandemic. At least $2 million will be disbursed fall term as KickStart grants, $500-$1500 grants that may be used for tuition and fees or other costs as a result of the pandemic. Grants are considered non-taxable income and do not impact other financial assistance. Students must apply for consideration. The application and additional information is available online.
Students who are eligible for the KickStart grant will be contacted via email and/or text message. New students, once admitted and enrolled, are also eligible. Awards will be provided on a first come, first served basis until all funds are distributed. Students unsure about their eligibility are encouraged to apply; when it doubt, fill it out!
The college also plans to use $1.6 million of institutional HEERF aid to forgive account balances for approximately 2,000 students. The debt, which students took on during the pandemic or could not repay because of it, has prevented many from continuing their studies, LCC Provost Paul Jarrell said. The balance forgiveness process began this week
“It is such a relief to have the funds to be able to help students that have been hit hard by the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Jarrell. “The balance forgiveness program combined with emergency assistance grants will provide some much needed financial relief, allowing our students to get back on track, continuing their educational journey to a better future.”
“Community college students have been hit especially hard by COVID-19,” said Associate Vice President of Student Affairs Mindie Dieu. “By eliminating balances owed to the college and providing much needed financial assistance, we are removing a hurdle that prevents far too many people from continuing their educational journeys."
The balance forgiveness process began August 23 and should be completed this week. There is no application process and eligible students will be notified via email. The forgiveness process does not include federal Direct Loan balances.
Fall classes at LCC start September 27. Browse the class schedule online.
Lane Community College educates over 25,000 students annually at six locations across Lane County and online. Students and alumni from all 50 states and 79 countries create more than an $850 million dollar impact on the local economy, helping to support more than 13,000 local jobs. Lane provides affordable, quality, professional technical and college transfer programs; business development and employee training; academic, language and life skills development; and lifelong personal development and enrichment courses.