YOUNGSTOWN — Eastern Gateway Community College has launched the EGCC Summer Guarantee, a program that allows students to take summer semester classes with no out-of-pocket costs, including tuition, fees and books.

For new, continuing and returning students who reside in the college’s service district — Trumbull, Mahoning, Columbiana and Jefferson counties — the program will be a “last dollar” scholarship that will cover students’ costs after Pell Grants and other financial aid eligibility is determined.

It is also available to students enrolled at another college or university, but are back home in the service district for the summer.

“The federal stimulus bill, the CARES Act, provided funding to colleges to help cover the costs of transitioning to online learning during the novel coronavirus pandemic and to ensure students continue to receive their education, especially those students facing economic hardship,” said Interim President Michael Geoghegan.

The college will receive just under $1 million in funding through the CARES Act to support students after academic disruption as a result of COVID-19.

To be eligible for the program, students must have completed a 2019-20 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and submitted an EGCC online application. Summer courses begin June 1.

In addition to tuition assistance, the legislation provided funding for direct assistance to students to remove barriers to continuing their education. The college is reviewing guidlines and will provide additional information as it becomes available.

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