SBCC uses federal stimulus funds to erase student debt and offer direct support
SBCC uses federal stimulus funds to erase student debt and offer direct support
SANTA BARBARA, Calif. (December 21, 2021) – Since last August, approximately 1,800
Santa Barbara City College students have received a form of debt relief, and an opportunity
to pursue and complete their educational goals, thanks to SBCC’s Fresh Start Initiative
and the federal Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund (HEERF).
HEERF funds were allocated to institutions to support students with immediate needs
related to the COVID-19 pandemic. One way that SBCC met those needs was by creating
the Fresh Start Initiative, allocating $1 million to go directly to students with
outstanding balances. Through the initiative, students enrolled in Spring 2020 through
Spring 2021 terms impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic were provided with funds to pay
off their entire outstanding balance. In addition, students who left SBCC prior to
the pandemic who are attempting to re-enroll – and find themselves challenged by COVID-19
related circumstances and restricted from registration due to a pre-pandemic balance
– were also provided with Fresh Start monies.
According to SBCC’s Student Finance Manager Nicole Hubert, “The responses we received
from our students were filled with hope and gratitude for how we’ve provided access
to their future opportunities by paying off their balances. It was a unique and incredible
experience for my staff and I to provide a fresh start to our students.”
HEERF grants were part of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES)
Act, passed by Congress in March 2020. That bill allotted $2.2 trillion to provide
fast and direct economic aid to the American people negatively impacted by the COVID-19
pandemic. Of that money, approximately $14 billion was given to the Office of Postsecondary
Education for HEERF.
SBCC has also provided direct relief to students in the form of emergency grants using
these CARES/HEERF funds. Since the start of the pandemic, more than $8 million has
been distributed to nearly 5,000 students, including a round of grants awarded on
December 3 to nearly 2,200 students. Students will have the opportunity to apply for
another round of grants early in the spring semester that starts January 10. The latest information about the grants can be found here.