Existing students who registered before July 18 are allowed to continue
Posted: July 29, 2022
The HSTA Higher Education Benefit program, or Free College Benefit, has been suspended as Eastern Gateway Community College (EGCC), Central State University, and Paul Quinn College resolve regulatory compliance issues related to the program with the U.S. Department of Education.
Last week, the U.S. Department of Education informed the institutions that they can continue to offer the Free College Benefit and/or Title IV aid for new and existing students for the fall 2022 semester if they registered on or before July 18, 2022. Those enrolled for Fall 2022 on or before July 18 will not be affected by the suspension of the program and there is no financial liability owed by any former or existing students who participated in the program.
Current and returning Eastern Gateway Community College students can click here for more information.
Students who enrolled for Fall 2022 courses on or after July 19, 2022 are NOT eligible for the Free College Benefit and may not utilize Title IV aid. Students not affiliated with a union or who choose to remove their union affiliation from their account may attend and utilize Title IV aid, if eligible. Please be aware, if Title IV aid does not cover the student’s balance, they will be responsible for providing supplemental funding (e.g., self-pay, loan, etc.)
Although this program has been suspended, we encourage our members and their families to continue to apply for and utilize the federal Pell Grant to fund their higher education.
Pell grants are a federal program that provides eligible students with up to $6,895 a year in education assistance depending on various factors such as income, cost of attendance, and full or part-time student status. The grants are portable and can be used at almost any accredited college or university. To find out if you are eligible for the Pell Grant, complete an application form and then check with the college or university of your choice college’s financial office to calculate your eligibility before you enroll.