Cristian Mejia Montiel, features editor

The former president signed into law the Consolidated Appropriations Act on Dec. 27, 2020 to help alleviate the challenges we as a nation are facing. In the midst of the ongoing pandemic and economic crisis, students can surely now hold on to hope.

The package includes educational resources which total 82 billion. It is estimated that K-12 schools roughly received 54 billion and college and universities will receive about 23 billion dollars.

According to the US Department of Education, Augsburg University received roughly 3.5 million dollars in student relief assistance. It’s important to note that not all relief will be used towards students, but will also go to strengthening institutional programs and innovating new methods to help students succeed towards completing a degree. The tension is definitely growing as the hunger for relief is crucial. In fact, the program director of student affairs, Mike Fetting, stated that “we received well over 400 applications (for aid) in the past 24 hours’’ giving us an inside look on the importance and urgency of supporting students.

However, there is uncertainty on how to distribute the funds smoothly. Augsburg is leaning towards sending digital Visa gift cards through an online service called Giftbit. It is not known whether or not student relief assistance will be enough for students to have a sense of financial security when it comes down to obtaining essentials such as rent, food, books and medical necessities. Still, the money will make a huge difference in the lives of many students.

If you haven’t submitted an Student Emergency Request Form and are intending to, please do so as soon as you can. The link can be accessed through our online version. The deadline to submit the form is Jan. 30.