Everett Community College Using Federal Funds To Forgive Student Debt

Aerial view of Everett Community College. Photo credit: EvCC

Everett Community College is forgiving $1.2 million in student debt accumulated during the pandemic.

EvCC is using institutional Higher Education Emergency Relief Funds (HEERF) to cancel student debt for 3,442 students who attended classes spring quarter 2020 through summer quarter 2021.

Student debt more than doubled during the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic, according to EvCC’s College Financial Services office.

“The pandemic has hit our students hard, personally and financially. Students have lost jobs, faced food insecurity and some battled COVID-19 infection,” said EvCC President Daria Willis. “By eliminating this debt, we are removing a barrier preventing students from continuing their education. We will continue seeking innovative ways to support our students.”

The U.S. Department of Education has encouraged institutions to use their HEERF funds to cancel student debt to support students facing challenges due to the pandemic. EvCC is one of a growing number of community colleges using HEERF funds for student debt.

EvCC students whose debt is being forgiven are also being provided financial literacy resources and support to prevent them from accruing future debt.

“We want to help students regain financial stability and get the education they need to emerge from the pandemic successfully,” Willis said.

Like other colleges, EvCC found that student debt was disproportionately held by students of color. At EvCC, a third of students educated are students of color, but half of the students who owed tuition and fees were students of color.

Students who are enrolled in Fall quarter classes who have experienced financial hardship due to COVID-19 can apply for up to $2,500 in federal funding for tuition, housing and other educational expenses, such as a laptop for online learning. For more information and an application, see EverettCC.edu/Cares.

Student Housing

EvCC is also using HEERF funding to provide free on-campus housing for the 2021-22 academic year for current students enrolled in 12 or more credits. Students are required to maintain satisfactory academic progress and enroll in a Learning Community with monthly educational programs.

EvCC offers student housing year-round at Mountain View Hall and Cedar Hall on the college’s main campus. For more information or to apply, visit EverettCC.edu/Housing.