Program to benefit current and new students in the semester starting August 22, 2022
ALAMEDA, Calif., August 3, 2022 – Have you ever wanted to go to college on an island? There’s never been a better time to attend the College of Alameda (COA), on the island of Alameda in the East Bay, which is offering students “$500 On Us” for the Fall 2022 semester.
Yes, that’s right, COA will be providing students with $500. The college president, Dr. Nathaniel Jones III explains, “Education is literally life-changing yet paying for college can be difficult. We are investing in our students and community – all students, regardless of income – in order to put money in their pockets while we provide them with a pathway to a four-year university degree, better-paying jobs, and a brighter future. We believe in our student’s success and are partnering with them to make their educational aspirations a reality.”
To qualify for the $500, a student must enroll in three or more units at COA for the Fall 2022 semester (classes start August 22, 2022) and complete the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) application or the California Dream Act application by October 1, 2022. The funds will be awarded once eligibility is verified and no later than October 31, 2022.
Dr. Tina Vasconcellos, Vice President of Student Services, explained, “We see the ‘$500 On Us’ campaign as an opportunity to show students we care, and help them kickstart their future at COA. This campaign was the result of all divisions of the college (Instruction, Student Services, Administration, and the Office of the President) working together to help students benefit from the transformative power of education.” College of Alameda leadership team wants to encourage more students to complete a financial aid application because they believe students in the East Bay – particularly those from traditionally underserved communities – will find they qualify for aid including tuition waivers and Pell Grants. Students who don’t qualify for traditional financial aid will still get $500 On Us. And students who do qualify for aid will get the “$500 On Us” in addition to any other forms of aid they may receive.
The program is funded by the federal government’s Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund (HEERF), which is intended to help students get an education and reach their academic and career goals during the pandemic. The College has several other programs and resources aimed at lowering the financial barriers to receiving a quality education.
College of Alameda has served more than 200,000 students and enjoys a well-deserved reputation for the excellence of its academic, vocational, and student support programs. A range of unique classes awaits students at College of Alameda, including aviation maintenance technology, apparel design, automotive technology, and various business-entrepreneurship and transfer degree programs. For more information or to enroll, students can visit the college’s website at www.alameda.edu. College of Alameda is open Monday- Friday from 8-4:30pm. Students are welcome to visit the College’s Rock EnRoll Days on August 8, 15, and 22nd from 10am-2pm. These are opportunities for new students to get assistance with application, registration, financial aid, and connect with student support programs. Free food and drinks will also be available.
About College of Alameda
College of Alameda (CoA) is a two-year community college located at 555 Ralph Appezzato Memorial Pkwy, Alameda, California. The college has been inspiring students to achieve academic success since 1970. Situated on a beautiful park-like campus on the island city of Alameda, CoA offers academic programs that transfer to four-year universities and workforce training programs in a variety of career areas. Students of all ages and backgrounds are welcome to enroll.
About Peralta Community College District
Founded in 1964, the Peralta Community College District (PCCD) is a collaborative community of colleges comprised of Berkeley City College, College of Alameda, and Laney and Merritt colleges in Oakland, Calif. The Peralta Colleges provide a dynamic multicultural learning environment offering accessible, high-quality educational programs and services, including two-year degrees, certificates, and university transfer programs, to more than 30,000 students each year. PCCD is home to award-winning Peralta TV (Comcast ch. 27/28, AT&T ch. 99) and community radio KGPC-LP 96.9 FM. To learn more about the Peralta Colleges, visit www.peralta.edu.
