On March 11, 2021, President Biden signed the Higher Education Relief Fund (or HEERF III). This is a grant provided by the federal government to help sustain the higher education system. $8,132,675 was allocated to go to the students, and it was determined how to split it amongst us by Sept. 2021.
Over twelve thousand students were given a portion of aid, ranging from $500 to $875 dollars. ETSU directly paid the students this money, instead of waving it off of tuition or other fees. This allows students to freely decide what to spend their money on.
When the pandemic hit, students were sent home, some not returning until this school year. Some students picked up jobs to support their families. Some students struggled with the mental strain of quarantining, or the worries that come with having an immune-compromised relative. Some students had to cope with the loss of a close friend or relative; there were many burdens to bear, many of them extending into today.
The effect the pandemic had on the university experience last year was drastic, but I would argue that it made a lot of us realize what really matters. Higher education is a very important facet of our futures, but the present times demand a lot. The university granting us this money directly conveys that they understand that there are more pressing matters in our lives.
Spend this money the way that helps you the most; whether it be rent or a nerf gun to torment your roommate. This money is a reminder that life can get messy, but there are sources of support available to us.
