Bergen Community College Forgives $5 Million Of Student Debt

PARAMUS, NJ — Bergen Community College recently received federal funding to help offset some negative side effects of the coronavirus pandemic. This week, the college announced it would use part of those funds to forgive roughly $5 million in student loans.

College officials said the forgiveness initiative will impact more than 2,000 students, and is part of the school's effort to "remove barriers for students seeking to complete their Bergen Community College education."

The loan forgiveness dollars will be given to current students with past-due tuition bills, the college said. In order to qualify for the debt relief, students must have enrolled in classes and incurred a tuition balance during the pandemic, or from March 2020 to the present.

The College will erase the balances automatically, meaning students won't have to request relief. Eligible students will receive additional information this month, officials said.

“When I arrived at Bergen in January, I sought to lead with an ‘ethic of care,’” President Eric M. Friedman said.

“That philosophy represents the driving force behind this initiative, as financial concerns often present the most significant barrier to earning a college degree – especially given the pandemic’s effect on the finances of our students. By erasing past-due tuition, students can return to Bergen to continue their path to a degree without debt hanging over their heads.”

According to college officials, Bergen has already distributed over $10 million in direct emergency aid to its students.

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