SMCCD Distributes $8M To Students In COVID-19-Related Assistance

SAN MATEO, CA — The San Mateo County Community College District (SMCCD) will distribute more than $8 million to its students to assist them with hardships accumulated due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The district received more than $13 million in federal relief from the Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund, according to a news release. The remaining funds will be spent on COVID-related expenses.

“Our community college students were already struggling to make ends meet, and COVID has made it tougher than ever,” SMCCCD Chancellor Michael Claire said in a news release. “The majority of the federal funds we’ve received are going directly to support students, and this will make a difference in students being able to stay in school.”

The district also received $5.6 million through the CARES Act. Of the 40,000 students at the district’s three community colleges, nearly 5,000 received payments via CARES funds ranging from $500 to $1,100.

Learning will continue to take place remotely at the district through December 2021, but some in-person instruction may begin in the fall.