Jarvis Christian College Forgives $10,000 in Student Debt
If there is one thing that COVID-19 allowed all of us to see is that there is a difference between those who are able to work from home and those who are considered essential and have to go to work even when the world is in a pandemic. What undoubtedly is included in that difference is whether or not an individual has a college degree and works in a field where he or she can “telework.” It also exposed to all of us the disparity that exists in this country related to health, wealth and socioeconomic barriers faced by some Americans.
[UNCF-member institution] Jarvis Christian College’s president and his cabinet took a look at the impact that COVID-19 had on people of color and subsequently upon their students. As corporations, the federal government and other entities were providing some relief to Americans, JCC thought that it would do likewise for the students who have committed to earning their college degree through the “Jarvis Cares Program.” The program stems from the Jarvis Promise…our commitment to keep JCC accessible and affordable. It is designed to reduce the students’ debt by an amount up to $10,000, which is Jarvis’ way of assisting students with their dream of obtaining a college degree that can make a difference in how and where they work.
In order to be qualified, students will have to follow three simple steps: register for the 2020 Fall semester, complete their FAFSA and create their UNCF Profile. They will receive 50% of the reduction in their balance when they successfully complete the fall semester and the other 50% when they successfully complete the spring semester.
Jarvis College President Lester Newman
Most often, students stop out because they are so overwhelmed by financing their education. Jarvis Cares give them the chance to reduce their balance and continue on to completion. Jarvis Christian College’s President Dr. Lester C. Newman stated, “We wanted our students to know that during this difficult time that we value them and want to see them succeed. Jarvis Cares helps us to do that for our students.”
In addition to the student debt forgiveness, the Jarvis Cares Program seeks to address issues related to the digital and technological divide that has been made evident during this pandemic when educational institutions had to quickly transition from face to face classes to remote and distance learning modalities. When survey results showed that students at JCC were being negatively impacted because of their lack of access to the internet and Wi-Fi, the college quickly decided to provide needed students with laptops that have Wi-Fi capability embedded in the laptops beginning in the fall. Newman stated, “This will allow our students to have the technology they need to be successful in their classes whether they are on campus or at home. This is what Jarvis Christian College is about, helping our students to succeed and make a difference in this global society.”
If any Jarvis Christian College student would like to know more about the Jarvis Cares debt forgiveness or how to access the technology support, you may contact Ms. Brandy Gray, Student Account Representative at 903 730 4890 ext. 2710, or Mr. Chris Watson, Director of Information Technology at 903 730 4890 ext. 3603.
Jarvis Christian College is a historically black liberal arts four-year institution affiliated with the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). The mission of the College is to prepare a diverse population of lifelong learners intellectually, socially, spiritually, and personally through providing interactive services and using varied modalities of instructional delivery.