Seminole State College cancels more than $725,000 in student debt

As authorized by the American Rescue Plan (ARP), Seminole State College of Florida used a portion of its Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund III (HEERF III) institutional aid and committed $725,295 to discharge debt balances for 1,074 enrolled students for tuition and fees related to the Business Office incurred during Spring, Summer and Fall 2020 Terms as well as Spring 2021. 

“In addition to amounts previously distributed CARES/HEERF I and CRRSAA/HEERF II, ARP/HEERF III funds allow us to distribute additional emergency aid to students affected by the pandemic experiencing continuing financial challenges. The institutional aid also allows us to continue to support and expand virtual and hybrid instructional options, student services, and academic support modalities,” said F. Joseph Mazur, vice president of business operations and CFO at Seminole State College.

“Eliminating student debt removes a financial burden for many students and offers greater confidence to enroll or reenroll and continue their educational journey at Seminole State,” Mazur continued.

"I think Seminole State's decision to forgive student debt acquired during COVID-19 is a great win for students that have come from a year that's felt like continuous losses. During the pandemic, many students were put under a lot more financial strain than normal, and this decision will certainly help alleviate some of that strain. I am proud of Seminole State for proving once again that the students are their priority," said Angelica Rolon Arroyo, SGA president at the Sanford/Lake Mary Campus.