Some students are getting free money from their school, with many already getting the money before Christmas.
The Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund, created by the American Rescue Act, set aside $40 billion dollars.
The money is to help students and schools during the pandemic.
Related: These areas will give you thousands of free dollars when you save for your children to go to college
Colleges that have received chunks of the funding are now sending their students checks.
Colleges that have or will be sending out checks
Meharry Medical College has given most of their 956 students as grant worth $10,000.
Students should have received a direct deposit.
If they did not they can pick up a check at the Cashier’s office.
Related: Are you one of the 17 million Americans missing out on free stimulus money?
Bushnell University has paid 206 students $642,674.
These students have displayed an exceptional need through FAFSA or in an online application.
The average amount a student gets is $3,120, but some got as much as $6,500.
Penn State gave 31,000 students between $1,000 and $1,800 in their first round. Their second round with an application process gave students $1,000.
Related: How to go to college for free
Florida State University gave students $17.7 million in grants all together. 16,000 students benefitted.
Duke University plans to give students $1,750 or $3,000 next month.
The City University of New York is also disbursing grants in December.
The University of Rhode Island is giving grants worth $1,500 to $2,500.
Make sure to pay attention to announcements made by colleges to see if there’s a way to get grant money from yours.
FingerLakes1.com is the region’s leading all-digital news publication. The company was founded in 1998 and has been keeping residents informed for more than two decades. Have a lead? Send it to [email protected]