COD announces $10M in federal funding for student grants

College of DuPage has announced that more than $10.2 million in federal grant money is available to help students who attend the Glen Ellyn school in the fall.

The college received $20.6 million Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act (CRRSAA) funding to defray pandemic-related costs. COD trustees agreed to set aside 50% of the money to provide grants to eligible students.

Grant recipients will be able to use the money to pay for their educational costs or emergency expenses due to COVID-19, including tuition, food, housing, health care or child care.

Institutions are required to prioritize students with exceptional need, officials said. COD will begin distributing funds as early as May. Then the school will open an online application by June 1.

"We are proud to put these federal emergency relief funds to work and assist COD students from all walks of life in need of help," COD President Brian Caputo said in a statement.

COD leaders will use the remaining CRRSAA funds to offset expenses incurred due to the pandemic and to purchase safety products.