YOUNGSTOWN - After announcing last week that a program offering free courses toward a degree could come to an end, Eastern Gateway Community College no says it can continue to offer the Free College Benefit for new and existing students for the Fall 2022 semester.

In a July 18th letter to EGCC, the U.S. Department of Education identified concerns about Eastern Gateway's Free College Benefit program as part of a federal financial aid program review.

The letter ordered the college to end the Free College Benefit program and not disburse Pell grant money to any new students enrolling in the program until it is redesigned.

However, on Tuesday, President Geoghegan said he received a call from Dr. Jeremy Early, DOE Midwest Division Chief for the Federal Student Aid (FSA) program, stating that EGCC can continue to disburse Pell and continue the Free College Benefit for the fall.

Geoghegan is scheduled to meet with the Department of Education on Wednesday to discuss the cease-and-desist order issued last week.

According to a news release from EGCC, the Department of Education did not want to wait for the Wednesday meeting to announce the continuance of the program this fall due to the start of classes in two weeks.

Geoghegan promises a follow-up with an update on Wednesday after the meeting.

More than 75,000 students participating in the program have enrolled at EGCC since 2015, saving over $175 million.

Current and returning students can schedule advising appointments here, and new students can apply here.