Connecticut State Colleges and Universities will forgive $17 million in student debt accumulated during the pandemic, CSCU President Terrence Cheng announced today.

Cheng says debt that community college students took on or could not repay because of the pandemic will be forgiven.

The debt was paid for with federal Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund money, and the forgiveness affects all account balances that resulted from enrollment in summer 2019 through spring 2021 semesters.

“Community college students have been hit especially hard by COVID-19,” Cheng said. “By eliminating the debt those students owe to institutions, we are removing a hurdle that prevents far too many people from continuing their educational journeys. Our message to students is simple: you now have a clean slate, so if an account balance was standing in your way, you can now register for classes for the fall semester.”

The debt relief will impact 18,161 current and former students.

There are no conditions attached, and students are not required to enroll in classes in any future semesters.