Drury University in Springfield, Missouri is distributing $1.2 million in COVID relief aid directly to students who demonstrate exceptional financial need.
The funding comes from the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act (CRRSAA), signed in December 2020, which earmarked $88 billion for colleges and universities to cover emergency costs arising due to the pandemic.
This is the second round of relief aid for Drury after last spring’s distribution of Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act money.
In this second installment, Drury received $1.2 million for low-income students affected by the pandemic. The funding will cover students enrolled in the spring semester who have demonstrated an expected family contribution of $20,000 on their Federal Application for Free Student Aid (FAFSA).
Drury is now distributing more than $1.2 million in federal pandemic relief aid directly to students.
The funding comes from the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act (CRRSAA), which was signed into law in late December 2020. https://t.co/zTa3vwToSy pic.twitter.com/wWhieo04Hf
— Drury University (@DruryUniversity) March 22, 2021
“These funds will be available to Drury students enrolled in the residential day school, Drury GO and the College of Graduate Studies,” director of financial aid Becky Ahrens said. “Students who receive this aid will see between $200 and $1,000 based on enrollment and financial need as determined by the FAFSA.”
Clash over Fund Distribution
While Drury chose to allocate the relief funding entirely to students, some schools are drawing flak for their pandemic relief distribution plans.
The University of Wisconsin-Madison (UW), for example, which concluded its second round distribution of Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund money, is facing criticism from students who believe that the university should be allocating more money for student support.
Students want more money towards rent payments, which UW claims is illegal. Student leaders also rallied for direct aid, accusing the school of doing “the bare minimum” for student relief.
In the third round of coronavirus relief, college students can expect to receive more money for education. The $1.9 trillion American Rescue Plan Act, signed by President Joe Biden earlier this month, pledges long-lasting financial benefits to students, including relief checks and emergency financial aid grants.