Claflin University students received some welcomed news when President Dwaun J. Warmack announced that the account balances for students enrolled from Spring 2020, Fall 2020, Spring 2021, and Summer 2021 would be eliminated. The University dedicated $1 million to clear debts for more than 700 students.
“Our students have gone through a lot during the past 18-19 months since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, “Warmack said. “It has impacted students emotionally, psychologically, and financially. When members of our cabinet discussed how many Claflin students are eligible for the Pell Grant and are first generation college students, we looked at opportunities for how could help them.”
Warmack said that in addition to eliminating student debts, Claflin University has provided free summer tuition, CU CARES (alumni and friends) donations, stipends, laptops, hotspots, and CARES ACT student distributions.
“We received institutional money that could have been used for COVID-19 protocols,” Warmack said. “But the cabinet decided to use $1 million to wipe out all of the balances on the students’ accounts. We agreed that we wanted them to return for the Fall semester with a fresh start. I take my hat off to the financial aid and fiscal affairs teams. The sole purpose of the debt forgiveness was to help students who had previous balances that would have prevented them from continuing their education. We wanted them to come back prepared and focused for the visionary leadership experience and the Claflin Magic that awaits them.”