In an email sent to the student body today, Pomona College President G. Gabrielle Starr informed the student body of a vote by the Board of Trustees to freeze tuition for the 2020-2021 academic year at 2019-2020 levels. This vote reversed the board’s prior decision to raise tuition by 3.5 percent. Per Starr, this move “is one of a series of steps to assist students and families during this period of hardship.”
The email also confirmed that, for students on financial aid, the minimum contribution requirement of $1,900 to $2,200 will be replaced with a scholarship for the 2020-2021 school year. This measure was taken as “an additional, temporary economic support during a time of crisis” and will be discontinued once the COVID-19 crisis has abated.
Starr also informed the student body that federally-allocated CARES funding will be distributed to students “in the next few weeks.” The college will provide these funds to students who have enrolled as of March 13, 2020 and who have a valid Free Application For Student Aid (FAFSA) on file. Undocumented, DACA, and international students on financial aid will be provided funding from the college’s own financial resources.
In its earlier FAQ, Pomona reported that it has been allocated nearly $1.3 million by the federal government, half of which is reserved for students. The college has yet to announce how the remainder of the funding will be allocated.
President Starr concluded the email saying that, while Pomona’s current intention is to resume in-person classes in September, the college “will continue to evaluate the situation and develop more detailed plans in the weeks ahead.” If students do return to campus in the fall, it “is possible” they will be restricted from leaving campus to reduce their risk of infection. With California State University conducting online classes into the fall, it remains to be seen if Pomona or other smaller California institutions will follow suit.