WORCESTER, Mass - Quinsigamond Community College [QCC] received $2.4 million to support their students during the pandemic.

The federal money comes from the Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund II. The college is also using an additional $1 million in institutional funds to provide assistance.

QCC president Luis Pedraja says $2 million of the $2.4 million has already gone directly to students.

He says the school recognizes the pandemic has been harder for some and they've tried to increase the amounts depending on the amounts needed.

"It might help them with rent, it might help them with utilities, it could potentially help them with food. We are seeing a lot of insecurity and just to make ends meet so they can stay engaged in school and not have to worry about that one other thing that's taking away from their focus on classes and trying to finish their degree,”  Pedraja said.

QCC started an emergency fund for students in significant hardship at the beginning of the pandemic and has provided emergency aid to 571 students so far.