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The latest on the Key Bridge collapse, New York puts forth legislation to get clean energy projects on the grid and Wisconsin and other states join a federal summer food program to help feed kids across the country.

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Republicans float conspiracy theories on the collapse of Baltimore's Key Bridge, South Carolina's congressional elections will use a map ruled unconstitutional, and the Senate schedules an impeachment trial for Homeland Secretary Mayorkas.

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Historic wildfires could create housing and health issues for rural Texans, a Kentucky program helps prison parolees start a new life, and descendants of Nicodemus, Kansas celebrate the Black settlers who journeyed across the 1870s plains seeking self-governance.

Community Colleges Lure Students Back with Financial Incentives

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Thursday, November 11, 2021   

MODESTO, Calif. -- Community colleges across California are using COVID-19 relief funds to lower costs for students and lure them back to campus.

This fall, enrollment at California community colleges dropped almost 15%, dipping below 2 million for the first time in 30 years.

Santanu Bandyopadhyay, president of Modesto Junior College, said MJC is offering free tuition and canceling student debt.

"We thought that since we have the COVID dollars, rather than using those for institutional improvement, we thought why not directly invest in the students," Bandyopadhyay explained.

As soon as the "MJC is free for me" campaign launched, enrollment shot up. The school is also offering free lunch on Wednesdays and a voucher to buy books once students submit a vaccination card.

Many schools have used the funding to stock campus food pantries, distribute free laptops and Wi-Fi cards, and make emergency grants to cover rent.

A recent survey of students at San Jose Community college found 52% were food insecure in the prior 30 days, 68% were housing insecure in the prior year and 25% had been homeless at some time during the previous year.

Bandyopadhyay pointed out school counselors across the state stand ready to connect students to the help they need.

"We need to spread the word and let students take advantage," Bandyopadhyay urged. "We look at this as our investment in the community."

Federal funding for various programs came from legislation such as the American Rescue Plan, the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act (CARES Act), and the Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund.

Support for this reporting was provided by Lumina Foundation.


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