Financial assistance available for Olympic College students this fall

School is disbursing $5.3 million in federal grant funds

By Bob Smith • August 23, 2021 1:30 am
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Equipped with Higher Education Emergency Relief Funds (HEERF) received from the federal government earlier this year, Olympic College plans to disburse about $5.3 million in grant funds to students attending the school this fall and beyond.

The college began making awards to students this summer, the educational institution said in an Aug. 20 news release. The application for fall quarter opened on Aug. 19 where students registered for at least three credits can apply for grants that do not have to be paid back.

Students taking 12 or more credits are eligible for grants of $1,500; $1,000 for students taking 6-11 credits; and $500 for students taking 3-5 credits. Grants can be used for tuition, food, housing, course materials, technology, health care, childcare or other expenses, college officials said.

“The availability of these and other grants will help keep students who may be struggling with bills on track in their programs,” Olympic College President Marty Cavalluzzi said. “We know that people are reevaluating their careers during the pandemic and a college degree or certificate is the pathway into family wage jobs.”

Olympic College officials said a number of other grants are available to students this fall, as well:

  • Housing Assistance Grant: The Olympic College Foundation may be able to help students struggling to pay their rent or mortgage through the help of the Students in Need Group.
  • Student Emergency Assistance Grant (SEAG): Financially struggling students with limited resources may qualify for a SEAG grant.
  • Washington College Grant: Funding is available for many families making under $97,000 a year.

The availability of grant funding means that many Olympic College students can attend fall term witl little out-of-pocket expenses, officials said.

The college has already distributed $3.2 million in HEERF funds. The first batch of funds — $1.6 million in CARES Act money — was disbursed in May 2020. That was followed by another $1.6 million in Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act funding distributed later that year.