Austin Community College (ACC) will receive $13,907,800 through the Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund to support students through the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. The fund was authorized as part of the federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act.

The first portion should be available as early as next week and will help ACC better support students directly impacted by COVID-19. The funds will cover “eligible expenses under a student’s cost of attendance such as food, housing, course materials, technology, healthcare, and child care.” 

“This is a difficult time for many of our students and every dollar helps,” says Dr. Richard Rhodes, ACC President/CEO. “We are eager to move forward and put these funds to work to help our students, the college, and our community come through this challenging time.”

In the coming weeks, the U.S. Department of Education is expected to share specific criteria for student eligibility and timelines for delivery of aid to students as well as the distribution of the remaining federal funds. 

For more information about ACC’s response to COVID-19, visit austincc.edu/coronavirus.