Austin Community College Receives CARES Act Funds

AUSTIN, TX — Austin Community College received the first portion of federal financial support — part of some $13 million — to help students impacted by the new coronavirus outbreak, school officials said.

Applications for the ACC CARES Act Student Aid opened Wednesday, April 29.

Current and newly enrolled students who have been impacted financially by the respiratory illness outbreak are encouraged to apply. Those who are unsure if they meet federal eligibility requirements should still submit an application, school officials noted. Austin Community College officials added they will review all applications to match students with the best financial support options.

“We know this is a difficult time for many students. It’s hard to stay on track and complete classes when you’re worried about things like paying for housing, groceries, and bills” Dr. Richard Rhodes, the Austin Community College president/CEO, said in a prepared statement. “We want students to know that ACC is going to do everything we can to connect them with any dollars available that can support their journey. Our goal is to help students stay in college and for those who have lost jobs, we can help them start.”

Students can apply through the CARES Act Student Aid webpage. A Free Application for Financial Student Aid (FAFSA) application must also be submitted.

“We’re expecting thousands of applications, and we have a team ready to look at each and every one of those individually,” Dr. Shasta Buchanan, Student Affairs vice president, said in a prepared statement. “This is when having that 1-on-1 support really matters — especially virtually. Every student has unique needs. They want to feel heard and understood. Life is tough right now. We don’t want the cost of college to be another burden for our students.”

The college was awarded more than $13 million through the Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund, a new federal grant funded by the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act. For more information on eligibility and requirements, visit austincc.edu/caresaid.

About Austin Community College

Austin Community College is a nationally recognized two-year college serving Central Texas. ACC is focused on student success and providing affordable, flexible pathways to help students reach their education goals, learn new job skills, or advance their career. The college currently enrolls more than 70,000 students annually.