Clark Atlanta University (CAU) announced it will cancel all student balances left over from the last two academic years for university graduates and continuing students. 

In a letter addressed to the university’s alumni on Thursday, University President George T. French Jr. said “we are pleased to inform you that we are canceling and clearing all CAU student balances with the University for Spring 2020, Summer 2020, Fall 2020, Spring 2021, and Summer 2021. Students will be able to enroll for the Fall 2021 semester with a zero balance.” 

The president said that the last two academic years have been challenging for some of the university’s students due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the university wanted to assist in any way that it could.

"Their academic and professional future is important to me and the entire Clark Atlanta University family," the statement continued. "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." 

Further into the memorandum, French explains to CAU graduates and continuing students how he and the university were able to make this possible. He said the university teamed up with “policymakers from the U.S. Department of Education, both aisles of Congress, and higher education advocates to secure unprecedented federal funding through both the CARES Act and Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund (HEERF) for CAU.”

Aside from clearing students’ balances, French says the university has “provided emergency financial aid dollars directly to students,” and “refunded pro-rated housing, meal charges, and parking for Spring 2020." 

Additionally, the university said it has purchased hotspots and 4,000 laptops for students. 

French ended the letter with gratitude and thanked students for their support. 

“Thank you for your unwavering support of our Administration, generosity, and love for Clark Atlanta University as we pray and work through this challenge while ‘facing the rising sun’ together.”

At this time, the university hasn’t announced when it plans to clear students’ debt.

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