Press release from UNC Asheville:
UNC Asheville has allocated more than $1,360,000 in funding from the Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund (HEERF) to clear student balances from the fall 2021 semester.
A total of 813 UNC Asheville students received funding to clear their outstanding balances, including any current students with an account balance, as well as former students whose academic career was interrupted since the pandemic began in 2020. Priority was given to students based on financial need.
In addition, $406,600 HEERF Student Awards up to $1,200 were awarded to enrolled students who paid their balance, but may have financial needs that could be addressed by HEERF.
“We’re grateful and excited to be able to award this funding to students, which for many comes just in time,” said Director of Student Accounts Alexis Levenson. “We prioritized students who had a balance to the institution, which might have prevented them from continuing their education goals. These awards can alleviate some of the worry and give students a boost to focus on their degrees and career goals.”
Students have expressed their appreciation as well. As one student said, “Thank you so much. You don’t know what this means for me and my family. Please thank everyone involved.”
This balance-clearing funding is the second round of funding for students in the fall 2021 semester, as UNC Asheville also awarded emergency grants to cover the estimated cost of textbooks and other expenses at the start of the semester.
Through federal and state grants—including the Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund (HEERF)—and the UNC Asheville Student Emergency Fund, the University has been able to provide approximately $6.7 million to more than 4,660 students to support their degree completion.
For more information, visit coronavirus.unca.edu/resources/cares-act/.
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