By: ShaCamree Gowdy

Clark Atlanta University in Georgia is clearing all student account balances for the spring, summer and fall 2020 semesters as well as its spring and summer semesters of 2021. 

The students’ future financial assistance eligibility will not be affected by the one-time outstanding debt cancelation, per a press release from the university. 

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“We understand these past two academic years have been emotionally and financially difficult on students and their families due to the COVID-19 pandemic,” said CAU president Dr. George T. French Jr. “Their academic and professional future is important to me and the entire Clark Atlanta University family. We care about students and want to lighten their individual and family’s financial load so they can continue their journey in pursuing and attaining their educational and professional goals.” 

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The student debt cancelation is part of the “Momentum” CAU has experienced in the last 16 months, during which the university has received significant federal funding through the CARES Act Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund (HEERF). 

CAU has used the funds to help students in a variety of ways, including refunding a prorated amount of housing and meal charges for Spring 2020 and purchasing 4,000 laptops from Dell Computers for every financially enrolled student, per the press release.