CGCC offers $600 to restart students who dropped due to pandemic

From Columbia Gorge Community Coillege:

By Dan Spatz

CGCC Foundation Executive Director Wendy Patton

Are you ready to rebound from COVID?

Columbia Gorge Community College is offering $600 “Rebound” scholarships to students enrolling for Fall Term 2021 and who enrolled in CGCC credit classes previously but dropped because of the pandemic.

“Students cite COVID-related hardship as the major cause of being forced to take a break,” explains Wendy Patton, executive director of CGCC Foundation. “CGCC wants to do whatever is possible to encourage students to continue along their path toward a better life.”

The college has set aside funds for this effort. More than 430 students needed to step away from CGCC since the pandemic’s early days in March 2020. “We know they are eager to get back on track this fall,” Patton said.

As CGCC connects with students, faculty and administrators are hearing common challenges arising from the pandemic, such as financial setbacks, parents trying to balance their children’s at-home learning with their own college classes, and mental health issues exacerbated by the pandemic. 

The college will distribute funds on a first-come, first-served basis with the goal to help as many students return this fall as possible. 

Apply by following the link at Rebound Scholarship Fall 2021 or visit www.cgcc.edu/financial-aid/scholarships .

The $600 Rebound scholarships are available for in-person and online classes.

Recipients do not need to repay this assistance; the application only takes a few minutes to complete. 

Students who are ready to return and need help navigating the re-enrollment process are encouraged to contact Student Services, (541) 506-6011 (select option 2).