Texas Southern University (TSU) has provided financial relief to more than 2,000 students.
According to a news release, the Historically Black College and University (HBCU) has cleared $2.3 million in debt through funds from the federal Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund (HEERF). The emergency grant was allocated to ensure postsecondary education has further support during the wake of COVID-19.
“The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act or, CARES Act, was passed by Congress on March 27th, 2020. This 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 as the Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund, or HEERF,” a statement on the U.S. Department of Education’s website read.
TSU has allocated the grant to ensure 900 students from the 2023 fall semester will no longer be in debt. Additionally, 879 students’ debts were also resolved by TSU, and 200 students who finalized their course work but did not comply with payment have also had their debt resolved, per The Houston Chronicle. They will now be eligible to earn their diplomas and transcripts.
The clearance was given to students from the fall 2022, summer 2023, and spring 2023 semesters.
“For many students from traditionally underrepresented groups, one of the major reasons they don’t progress in their educational journey is finances,” TSU Provost Dr. Carl Goodman said, according to The Houston Chronicle. “This administrative action means a lot, especially for those students who were in their freshman, sophomore, or junior year of study. Too often, if the students are living on campus, they must incur loans. The balance correction affords our students the opportunity to continue with their education and hopefully remain on track to graduate in four years.”
