By: Avry Zow

On Feb. 2, students at the University of Montevallo were alerted to COVID-19 relief checks being distributed for this spring semester.

These checks are funded through the American Rescue Plan Act issued back in 2021. The act allows the U.S. Department of Education to give aid and support to students in higher education through the Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund III. This fund will last up until Sept. 30, 2023.

Disbursement will depend on whether a student has signed up for direct deposit or not. If signed up for direct deposit, students will receive an email verifying their check has gone to their account. Students not signed up for a direct deposit will have theirs mailed. 

Off campus students’ checks will be mailed to their current or latest mailing address listed in banner. However, students that reside on campus will find theirs at their UM P.O. Box at Farmer across from Einstein’s.

U.M. P.O. Boxes; Courtesy: Avry Zow

The amount of money distributed will vary based on the needs of the individual under their financial aid profile. Students are free to use the money however they choose.

“Depending on the amount of the check, usually I try to deposit at least 50 percent into my savings account and the rest of the money I pretty much use it for like groceries, or books or last minute things I need for school.”- Kyrah Crook, sophomore at UM

Photo Courtesy: Kyrah Crook

“Personally, since we get our checks after we pay for school and everything. I use my check for whatever I want to use it on. Most of it goes into my savings, but for the most part I do whatever I want with my check.”- Sydney Goode, sophomore at UM

Photo Courtesy: Sydney Goode

2020 college graduate of Barton College now turned assistant coach for the university’s track team, Micah Clemons, gave advice on how students could make the most out of their checks.

” I would defiantly say invest towards the future especially if you get a good amount. A lot of college kids don’t know that its good to establish credit early while you don’t have a lot of of debt,” he said.” That way when you go to make a purchase or future purchases it’s a lot easier versus when you don’t have credit and you need to go make a big purchase like a car or an apartment.”