Central State’s $1.8 million in stimulus money will go to students

Central State University today announced that it will divide $1.8 million of emergency federal stimulus money among students.

A student enrolled during the spring 2020 semester would be eligible for up to $1,000, depending on final criteria for disbursement, a university statement said.

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The money is part of the $2 trillion Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act. The CARES Act includes $14 billion for a nationwide Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund to aid students during the pandemic.

“This pandemic has disrupted all of our lives especially, students and their families,” said Central State President Cynthia Jackson-Hammond. “We hope that the disbursement will relieve some of that disruption.”

Central State estimated the federal funds will be released by May 1, and when the university receives the money, it will issue direct deposits into student accounts.

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The aid is intended to offer emergency financial assistance to students for unexpected costs they incurred related to the disruption of campus operations.

Central State, located in Wilberforce, is a land grant university and one of two Historically Black Colleges and Universities in Greene County. Central State was named the 2017 HBCU of the Year by HBCU Digest.