Ball State students, faculty and staff crossed the finish line of week eight of the spring semester, Friday. University President Geoff Mearns returned for another Ball State pandemic update on Morning Edition, Friday.

Mearns brought with him some good news for eligible Ball State students:  Millions of dollars of pandemic aid will be coming to them directly from the second and third rounds of federal relief funds.  Money will be sent directly to eligible students at all degree levels.  Students will not have to apply for the funds. Eligibility is determined by the language in the relief bills – including the American Rescue Plan just signed by President Biden – and from the U.S. Department of Education.  Details, Mearns said, are still being sorted out. Payments could be distributed over the next 12 months.

Also discussed on Morning Edition were the university’s COVID-19 vaccination clinic that will open March 17, and the outlook for what campus instruction will look like for fall semester, in August.  You can hear the interview on the audio app, below: