Tennessee State students returning for the fall received good news from the university on Wednesday.
TSU announced it will pay off account balances for returners who were enrolled Spring 2020, Fall 2020, and Spring 2021. It will also cover Summer 2020 and 2021, according to the press release.
School officials say this will allow students to return to campus with their full attention on academics and campus life since being away because of COVID-19.
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“We are keenly aware that the number one reason that students do not return to college is lack of funds,” said TSU President Glenda Glover in the release. “Paying off account balances for our students will relieve some of the financial stress that they have and allow them to focus on studying and completing their degrees. At TSU, we pride ourselves in going that extra mile to assist our students. And that’s precisely what we are doing by paying student balances.”
As both K-12 schools and colleges in Tennessee prepare for back-to-school after a challenging year of virtual learning and other stressors linked to a worldwide pandemic, education leaders are looking for ways to help students turn their focus to getting their education and bridging disruptions.
On Wednesday, Middle Tennessee State University announced it was pioneering a new program that will allow employees at 20 local McDonald’s locations to attend college tuition-free. Working to make higher education more accessible, under the plan, employees at qualifying locations could earn up to six hours of college credit per semester. The management group also said will cover tuition costs at a reduced corporate rate.
For speciality and vocational schools in Tennessee — for example, barber and cosmetology schools in Memphis — groups are looking to help offer cheaper courses and avoid ‘debt traps’ that can risk defaulting onto loans, which can further plunge an aspiring professional into trouble.
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The funds to alleviate account balances for students will come from the federal CARES Act, which was passed in March 2020, said Douglas R. Allen II, TSU’s vice president for business and finance.
Nationally, the plan issued over $14 billion to higher education institutions because of the coronavirus, according to the U.S. Department of Education. In May 2020, TSU used funds from the plan to assist students and support institutional needs due to COVID-19.
“At the end of the day, it’s about the commitment to our students and the University,” he said. “This is one of several initiatives we are implementing to assist them.”
TSU said it will resume full operations for Fall 20201 and is also expecting its largest freshman class in five years. Freshmen are scheduled to move in starting Aug. 10, with returning students doing so the latter part of the week.
According to the U.S. Department of Education, emergency relief for federal students loans will remain in effect at least until Sept. 30, unless extended. This includes the suspension of loan payments, a 0% interest rate and a moratorium on collecting on defaulted loans.
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For additional financial aid resources at TSU, students can find resources at tnstate.edu/financial_aid/.
The state also offers programs, grants and resources for students of four-year and two-year schools looking to support their finances.
Molly Weisner is a digital producer for the USA Today network. Find her on Twitter @molly_weisner.
