Camden County College forgives more than $478K of debt for 540 students

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Camden County College in Blackwood has forgiven $478,619 in debt for 540 students, reducing their balance to $0 for the spring, summer and fall 2020 terms.

The debt relief was made possible by the federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES) Higher Education Emergency Relief Funding.

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At least two New Jersey colleges have decided to fully expunge student debt incurred during the pandemic to make way for students to re-register in the fall.

“We want to use all of the resources that are available to us to benefit our students and eliminate any barrier that may be keeping them from continuing to pursue their academic goals,” said CCC President Donald Borden in a prepared statement. “The ongoing pandemic has presented us all with numerous challenges. This is one financial challenge that we can help our students overcome in order to get their education back on track.

CCC has a full schedule of in-person and online courses planned for this fall, including for-credit lectures, workforce development, and noncredit courses. The school is offering a $5 per credit reduction in tuition for the fall 2021 semester.

“Our goal for our students is zero college debt, and it can be done,” Borden said. “If your existing debt is the reason you haven’t registered for courses, now is the time to come back.”

CCC has CARES funding still available, which can provide help paying for education-related expenses such as food, housing, and technology needs, as well as or in addition to child care, medical, and other qualifying expenditures.