Eastern Gateway Community College Update – October 24, 2022
1. Defendants (Education Department – “ED” ) are enjoined (prohibited) from enforcing the July 18, 2022 Cease-and-Desist Letter’s prohibition against EGCC enrolling new students in the Free College Benefit Program.
2. Defendants (ED) are enjoined (prohibited) from enforcing the July 18, 2022 Cease-and-Desist Letter’s prohibition against EGCC waiving tuition and fees for non-Pell students.
3. Defendants (ED) are enjoined (prohibited) from taking any action limiting EGCC’s access to federal student financial aid without affording EGCC notice and an opportunity to be heard as prescribed in the Higher Education Act, 20 U.S.C. § 1094 and applicable regulations, 34 C.F.R. § 668.81–99.
4. Nothing in this Order shall prevent Defendants (ED) from issuing a Final Program Review Report of EGCC.
5. This Order shall remain in effect until further order of the Court.
This means new and current students can register for the Spring 2023 semester in the Free College Benefit Program. We will open Spring registration on Tuesday, October 25th. While we celebrate this much-needed relief for our students, the underlying litigation is ongoing. The College will continue to inform its students, employees, and stakeholders of any updates and next steps.
Academic Advisors are also available to assist students with registration and answer any questions students may have. You can schedule your academic advising appointment here:
https://egcc.edu/students/student-support-services/academic-advising/ . Also, continuing students will be able to self-register through the student portal starting on October 25th.
For Free College questions, email [email protected] or call our EGCC Admissions Counselors at 1-833-465-2505 or the Financial Aid Help Desk at 1-833-465-2505 option 2.
Students can fill out the 2022-2023 FAFSA form here: https://studentaid.gov/h/apply-for-aid/fafsa.
Eastern Gateway Community College can offer the Free College program to students who were enrolled in classes for Fall 2022 and Spring 2022. It can also offer the program to those who were enrolled on July 18th and prior. However, EGCC is on hold to enroll new students and is currently working with the United States Department of Education to try to agree on a structure so it can move forward. Please keep checking back for more information which we’ll post here as it comes in. We may also be asking you to reach out to your elected officials to address this travesty soon. Stay tuned brothers and sisters.
Current and Returning Students can schedule advising appointments here: https://egcc.edu/students/student-support-services/academic-advising/.
For updates as to the status of the free college program, please click here: https://egcc.edu/press-release/
You and your family members can work toward an Associate’s Degree, Certificate, or Bachelor’s Degree completely online, for FREE. You will not have to pay for tuition, fees, or e-books.