South Carolina State University, a historically Black university in Orangeburg, said in a news release last week that the move will provide relief for students “who were previously unable to return to college due to financial hardship caused primarily by the COVID-19 pandemic.”
What We Know:
- SC State University Acting President Alexander Conyers said in the release that the school is “committed to providing these students with a clear path forward so they can continue their college education and graduate without the burden of financial debt caused by circumstances beyond their control.”
“No student should have to sit home because they can’t afford to pay their past due debt after having experienced the financial devastation caused by a global pandemic,” he said.
- The decision to erase the student debts will be funded by nearly $10 million the school received in federal aid. SC State University is utilizing approximately $4 million in funds from the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act and $5.8 million from the American Rescue Plan Act. Both pieces of legislation provided economic relief to Americans, businesses and other organizations amid the coronavirus pandemic.
- Wilberforce University announced last month it would clear more than $375,000 in debt, including fines, fees and other balances paid directly to the school. Clark Atlanta University announced that it too, would clear student debt from the 2020-2021 school year.
Debt among college students has increased more than 175% over the last 20 years.
