By Andrew Brezinski
Coppin State University (CSU) is pleased to announce its Student Debt Relief Initiative (SDRI) which is federally funded by the 2021 American Rescue Plan Act.
In total, Coppin State’s commitment will clear roughly $1,000,000 in student balances. This unprecedented relief fund, available to students who were enrolled during Fall 2020 and Spring 2021, comes as a result of the COVID pandemic. To date, several HBCUs, and other institutions, have implemented similar initiatives.
In addition to the balance forgiveness, CSU will provide a $1200 credit to every student, current and incoming, enrolled during the Fall 2021 semester. The Fall credit provided is just above 50% of in-state tuition and will not only assist in keeping current students enrolled, and in pursuit of their higher education, but also incentivize newcomers.
The COVID pandemic caused a global crisis that disrupted educational systems across the globe. Included in the United States’ trillion-dollar American Rescue Plan, signed March 11, 2021, was $350 billion dollars toward state and local funds. Of these state and local funds $39.6 billion is budgeted for higher education institutions around the country. With this federal funding, Coppin State chose to support the community in the most direct and immediate way, to its most valuable stakeholders, the students. “The education of our community is vital, and this financial investment cannot be overstated,” president of the university and HBCU graduate Dr. Anthony L. Jenkins asserts. “Our university is proud to continuously open doors for our scholars and support their future success.”
Reputable for a proud history and deep community roots, Coppin State University remains the most affordable 4-year public institution within the State of Maryland and recognized nationally for its academic programs. While offering 53 majors that include graduate and doctoral programs, Coppin State’s impact reaches far beyond academics. With a proclaimed mission toward relevant and essential community impact, Coppin faculty and staff strive to guide its mission and resources toward results that make the greatest positive difference in society as a whole.
