FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 2, 2005
Contact: Michael Corby
904.632.3310

Florida Community College at Jacksonville opens doors and arms to students affected by Hurricane Katrina

Florida Community College will open enrollment immediately to college students affected by Hurricane Katrina. Students from the areas of Alabama, Florida, Louisiana and Mississippi devastated by the hurricane can enroll in session A, which began August 29; session B, which begins September 26; or session C, beginning in early October. All fees and tuition payments will be deferred and may be waived on a case-by-case basis pursuant to policies which are currently under development.

In a statement that was sent to Florida Community College at Jacksonville employees, College President Steven Wallace said "...we have received authority from the State of Florida to provide a full measure of assistance to students displaced by the devastation of Hurricane Katrina.... we are now able to waive out-of-state tuition and fees. Over the next week or two we will develop, in consultation with state officials, the requisite policies and procedures to extend maximum assistance to victims of the storm. Displaced students will not be asked to pay any costs in the interim (if ever).

"We are also assessing the need to provide housing assistance to students and college employees from the impacted areas. In the event that this need becomes significant we may wish to direct part of our local relief effort to assist these individuals. We are working with our employee group, student government and Florida Association of Community Colleges leaders on this."

For additional information locally, call the Learner Support Center at 904.646.2300 (Jacksonville area); 877.633.5950 (toll-free from Alabama, Florida, Louisiana and Mississippi) or e-mail info@fccj.edu. The Florida Department of Education assistance number (877.352.2731) can also provide additional information.