College of the Desert students enrolled in classes for the Spring 2022 semester will
be paid up to $100 per unit, thanks to a one-time retention and re-engagement grant
from the U.S. Department of Education aimed at getting people back to school following
difficulties posed by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Both credit and noncredit courses are eligible, regardless of residency or immigration
status.
Students taking up to 18 credit course units would earn $1,800 for the semester, more
than double the per-unit cost of $46. For up to 12 units of noncredit courses, students
can earn $25 per course for Adult Basic Education and upper-division noncredit classes
and $150 per course for English as a Second Language Noncredit.
“This grant allows College of the Desert to make education much more affordable for
the Spring term,” College Superintendent/President Martha Garcia, Ed.D., said. “The
College is thankful to help our students and potential students who had to forgo their
education because of the pandemic, and provide them with funds to pay for books, tuition,
living expenses, and other necessities.”
Although no application is required for the grant, students are encouraged to apply
for the 2020-21 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or the CA Dream Act
Application. Students enrolled in PaCE programs are not eligible for the funds.
“This is a spectacular grant available at a critical time for people who want to pursue
higher education. This grant also allows our students to continue their studies, graduate,
transfer, or obtain employment. As an institution, we are offering this grant to support
our students and our community to help them succeed during this pandemic,” said Oscar
Espinoza-Parra, Ph.D., Dean of Enrollment Services.
Registration for the Spring 2022 semester begins on Monday, November 29; grant recipients
must be enrolled in classes by March 15, 2022, to qualify. Interested students should
contact Enrollment Services at enrollmentservices@collegeofthedesert.edu or (760)
346-8041 for full details on the grant and funding allotments per unit for credit
and noncredit courses.