College of the Redwoods has been awarded a grant in the amount of $128,000 to be distributed to students as emergency financial aid. The CCC Finish Line Scholars Program grant for the academic year 2020-21 is awarded by the Foundation for California Community Colleges.

The funds will be distributed to students who have attended CR in the Fall Semester of 2020 and will attend again in the Spring Semester of 2021 and have over $8,000 in unmet expenses after their financial aid and any family or work contribution has been applied. The estimated cost of attendance for each student is based on their financial aid application and includes tuition and fees, room and board, books, supplies, transportation, loan fees, and miscellaneous expenses, and/or an allowance for child care or other dependent care. Students can expect the distributions in February of next year.

The Finish Line Scholars Program is the largest philanthropic gift to community colleges in the nation to date. Over 20 years, the $100 million pledge will help eliminate regional educational gaps by providing scholarships to students who are well on their way towards their goal of completing a certificate or degree at a California community college or transferring to a university, and emergency financial aid to students facing unexpected financial hardships.

“A large percentage of CR’s students have unmet financial aid need.  We have over 1100 students that have $8000 or more of unmet need.  This makes going to college extremely challenging, especially when job opportunities are being limited by COVID,” said Marty Coelho, Executive Director of College Advancement and the CR Foundation.

“I want to thank the Jay Pritzker Foundation and the California Chancellors Office for this important gift” said CR President Keith Flamer. “These funds will reinforce the academic and student services work our faculty and staff have accomplished to increase educational achievement in our region. Increasing educational opportunities will help fight poverty and encourage workforce prospects locally.”

The CR Foundation is also working on an application for a second round of grant funding from the Finish Line Scholars Program, which is due in February.

For more information about educational costs and CR’s Financial Aid program, please to go Redwoods.edu/financialaid/Cost.

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