Austin Community College (ACC) received the first portion of federal financial support to help students impacted by the Coronavirus (COVID-19). Applications for the ACC CARES Act Student Aid opened Wednesday, April 29.

Current and newly enrolled students who have been impacted financially by the COVID-19 pandemic are encouraged to apply. Those who are unsure if they meet federal eligibility requirements should still submit an application. ACC 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” says Dr. Richard Rhodes, ACC president/CEO. “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.”

ACC students may 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,” says Dr. Shasta Buchanan, Student Affairs vice president. “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.