Another local community college is trying to make it easier for former students to return and earn their degrees and certificates.
Finger Lakes Community College is launching a Return to Finish program that will cancel any outstanding college bills, up to $1,200, once the student graduates.
"The folks that we're targeting are folks that wanted to come back to Finger Lakes Community College, but their past debt was preventing them from coming back," said Michael Fisher, Associate Vice President of enrollment management at FLCC.
Fisher says Return to Finish is not a loan forgiveness program. It only applies to outstanding bills owed to the college that have not been turned over to a collections agency.
FLCC says the completion of a few more classes might make all the difference to a student seeking financial stability.
"Almost on a daily basis we hear from former students who are unable to return to the college, who want to come back and earn a credential," Fisher said.
The deadline to enroll in Return to Finish is January 8, 2020. The college plans to open another enrollment period in 2021. An appointment is recommended, but not required. It can be scheduled by calling (585) 785-1000 or emailing onestop@flcc.edu.
Monroe Community College launched a similar program in Fall 2018. The MCC version is called Return to Complete, and has 271 participants so far.
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