Cheney University in Pennsylvania announced that it will use its pandemic federal aid to reduce the balance of student loan debt from spring 2020 to spring 2021.

This university is the first black college in the country’s history, Said in a statement This decision was made “in view of the financial and emotional difficulties that students and their families have experienced in the past year.”

It also refunded part of the student fees for the past year and provided emergency grants for students.

“In the past 18 months, our students have experienced a lot, and we want to do everything we can to reduce the burden,” Principal Aaron A. Walton said in a press release. “Our agreement has ensured the safety of our campus during the entire test period. Now as the financial burden of our students is reduced, we look forward to seeing them on campus in the coming fall semester, their attention is focused on learning, and Not in debt.”

The university stated that this move is important because more than 70% of Cheyney students are recipients of Pell grants-these grants are granted to students with significant financial needs.

In the spring semester of 2020, unlike many other schools that close dormitories and require students to leave, residential students have the opportunity to stay on campus or go home after taking classes online.

The university refunded part of the student fees for the 2020 spring semester and provided Cheyney students with federally funded emergency student financial aid grants.

Earlier this week, LaSalle University Announcing a plan to release the student debt of more than 100 students, totaling more than US$522,000.

It is estimated that the United States currently has $1.58 trillion in federal student loan debt. As of December 2018, it is estimated that more than 300,000 Philadelphia students owed a total of $11.6 billion. Reported by 6ABC.