August 31, 2021 3:30 a.m. 

Umpqua Community College is offering students facing difficulties stemming from the pandemic, emergency funding to help cover some of their costs, including tuition, housing and childcare.

A release said the college is making school more affordable, attainable and safe this academic year through the use of $2.3 million of federal COVID relief aid through the American Rescue Plan. New and returning students can qualify for student funding for any emergency costs related to the disruption of the pandemic. This will help cover a broad range of expenses: tuition, fees, housing, utilities, books, healthcare and childcare. Funds are available to most categories of students and will be distributed on a first-come, first-serve basis.

UCC President Rachel Pokrandt said, “These are challenging times for everyone. This funding will allow our students and community to continue their educational paths without having to be concerned about finances or other roadblocks”.

The release said in addition to COVID relief money, UCC has funding available for students through the TRIO TOP program for the disadvantaged and low-income families; Oregon Opportunity Grants, the largest state-funded, need-based grant program; FAFSA, federal financial aid; and UCC scholarships. In the 2019-2020 academic school year,82 percent of UCC’s credit students received financial aid, at an average of $3,376 per student.

The UCC campus is open for students and the community may visit during the UCC Open House on September 9th from 3:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. To schedule a visit or learn more, call 440-4606 or go to www.umpqua.edu.