More than 1,600 Peninsula College students will have the possibility of benefiting from nearly $3 million in debt forgiveness and annual tuition coverage by the end of April, thanks to the Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund, college representatives said.

Enrolled students may be eligible for up to $2,000 per quarter and a maximum of $8,000 per year for emergency funding from the Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund (HEERF) monies — amounting to tuition, fees and books per year for a typical full-time student, according to a press release.

More than 50 percent of Peninsula College students are considered low-income, college representatives said.

“These last two years have been filled with countless roadblocks and periods of uncertainty,” said Timothy Atkisson, a Peninsula student seeking a bachelor’s degree in applied science.

“Peninsula’s various programs and grant offerings helped get us through,” he said.

The college will exhaust funds in early spring quarter, according to Josh Holloway, the college’s director of financial aid.

The application process for the 400 remaining awards or so will open the week of March 14 and be disbursed the week of April 18. First-time applicants will be prioritized, college officials said.

Funding, which began in April 2020, is being distributed in three waves. Distributions will total $2,928,826 and benefit 1,637 students.

Students may still apply for financial aid for the 2021-22 academic year to see if they qualify for the federal Pell Grant and Washington College Grant.

The priority consideration deadline for spring quarter 2022 is Tuesday.

Students seeking more details about the application process are encouraged to visit pencol.edu/financial/apply-for-aid.

For individuals or families whose financial situation has changed since 2019, it is possible that financial aid awards may be adjusted to reflect any reductions in employment or income, according to college officials.

For more information, contact the financial aid office at pencol.edu/financial/apply-for-aid.

Students wishing to re-enroll are encouraged to visit the Get Started webpage at pencol.edu/GetStarted, or contact Enrollment Services at 360-417-6340 or admissions@pencol.edu.