Atlantic Cape to Distribute $1.98 million in CARES Act Funds

Atlantic Cape to Distribute $1.98 million in Federal CARES Act Emergency Relief Funds to Support Students Financially Impacted By COVID-19

Help is on the way for Atlantic Cape Community College students who have incurred expenses related to the distribution of campus operations due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The college will begin distributing up to $1.98 million allocated through the federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act that will serve as direct aid to eligible students.

“The direct impact on our area and our students has been significant with so many now out of work due to the pandemic,” said Atlantic Cape Community College President Dr. Barbara Gaba. “These students need help and we are grateful that we can help ease some of their financial burdens and make completing this semester, and planning for future semesters possible.”

The $2 trillion CARES Act stimulus package has $14 billion earmarked to help ease the nationwide financial strain colleges, students, and their families have suffered due to the pandemic. The college is now working to identify and distribute the funds to students for things like food, housing, course materials, technology, health care, and child care.

Students who are Title IV eligible and registered in on-campus courses impacted by the disruption of campus operations may be eligible to receive funds. Atlantic Cape has developed a simple online application for students to apply to receive emergency funding. Students who qualify will receive an email from the college about the opportunity.

“We want to support our students who are struggling,” said Dr. Gaba, “These emergency funds are to help with financial obligations and burdens that are directly impacting their education, and this is why we need to get this money to those students as quickly as possible. These students need to be prepared for when they enter or rejoin the workforce after this crisis is over, so we need to make sure they have the resources they need to meet their educational and career goals.