University of Utah students have started receiving another round of COVID relief grants this month.

The U Financial Aid & Scholarship office started distributing $27 million in direct funding to students over the past week. Each student will receive a minimum grant of $500. Need-based grants of $250 will be awarded to students who have completed a FAFSA form. And the university’s approximately 4,900, federal Pell Grant-eligible students may receive up to $1,000.

Students who signed up for direct deposit will see the funding arrive in their bank accounts. Otherwise, students can arrange to pick up a check, or receive one in the mail.

“The past few years have been difficult for our students as they struggled to work and continue their classes,” said Anthony Jones, director Financial Aid & Scholarships. “We hope these grants will ease the financial burden so many of our students feel.”

Students can spend the money to help pay for any costs they incur while students at the university, including tuition, books, housing, food and healthcare.

Over the course of three federal COVID relief packages—including the CARES Act of 2020, CRRSAA: Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund (HEERF II) and American Rescue Plan Act (ARP) of 2021—the U has dispensed more than $46 million in direct student aid. Individual continuing students have received between $500 and $2,500.