Mohawk Valley Community College has erased $1,070,0370 in unpaid balances for 809 students, thanks to the Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund (HEERF).

The forgiven debt covers outstanding balances for the Spring and Fall 2020 semesters, as well as the Spring and Fall 2021 semesters, when the pandemic imposed unprecedented challenges that disproportionately impacted students, especially low-income students attending community colleges.

“COVID-19 has affected our students’ physical, emotional, and economic well-being,” said MVCC President Dr. Randall VanWagoner. “Using these funds to help clear their outstanding college debt is one way MVCC is removing barriers and providing opportunities for these students to move forward with their education and pursue their career goals.”

HEERF, established by the federal government under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, allowed MVCC to provide emergency grants to students experiencing financial hardship specifically due to the disruption of campus operations as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. MVCC distributed the funds directly to students in need to help them enroll, remain enrolled, or re-enroll in college, as well as pay for course materials, technology, transportation, rent, food, healthcare, and childcare. To date, MVCC has distributed nearly $15 million in funding to more than 10,000 individual students, and the College will provide an additional $605,000 to help support students as they return to campus this fall.

Enrollment for MVCC’s Fall semester is ongoing. Classes begin Aug. 29 with flexible options in course scheduling and mode of delivery. For more information, visit mvcc.edu.