Meharry Medical College Gives Back to Students
The COVID-19 pandemic has caused financial turmoil for millions across America, especially those trying to fund their college education. Thankfully, many COVID-19 relief funds were created to support individuals and their families throughout uncertain times. Many of the relief funds came from the CARES Act, which was signed by Congress back in 2020. Meharry Medical College is one HBCU that paid it forward to 956 of their students with a surprise $10,000 gift to each.
The CARES Act provided emergency financial aid, known as HEERF (Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund), to colleges and universities across the country, including Meharry Medical College. According to the Office of Postsecondary Education, $14 billion was allotted to schools by the bill. The college received $10 million from HEERF to assist their students.
After deliberation between the school’s leadership, Meharry decided to give their students nearly a third of the total fund the college received. A special announcement was made by the president of Meharry, Dr. James Hildreth, to alert students of the generous gift coming their way. A video emailed to students around Thanksgiving break notified them that $10,000 would be deposited into their accounts or given by check.
“I’m happy to make a very special announcement today,” Dr. James Hildreth continued. “I’m proud and excited to tell you that on Wednesday, the Eve of Thanksgiving, we will give each of you $10,000 in cash. We felt that there was no better way to begin distributing these funds than by giving to these students who will so give so much to our world.”
The school’s gift is particularly prescient, not only because Meharry’s students have utilized their skills to assist with Covid testing and vaccination, but also because the funds will support student’s future careers as black doctors.