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A college in Nashville is giving its students a better chance at an education by paying off the balances on returning students' accounts.
Tennessee State University made the announcement on Wednesday (August 4), with officials saying they want to "allow students to return to campus with their full attention on academics and campus life since being away because of COVID-19," per WKRN.
"Instead of visiting the financial aid office, desperately seeking funds to cover previous school debt, the institution is wiping the slate clean," a school spokesperson said in a statement.
Students affected by the "account balance forgiveness initiative" include returning students who were enrolled during Spring 2020, Summer 2020, Fall 2020, Spring 2021 and Summer 2021. TSU accomplished this by using funds secured by the federal CARES Act and "additional funds" provided to educational institutions.
"We are keenly away that the number one reason that students do not return to college is lack of funds," said TSU President Glenda Glover. "Paying off account balances for our students will relieve some of the financial stress that they have and allow them to focus on studying and completing their degrees."
She continued, "At TSU, we pride ourselves in going that extra mile to assist our students. And that's precisely what we are doing by paying student balances."