The holiday season is getting off to a great start for students at Meharry Medical College, a historically Black medical college in Tennessee.

Dr. James Hildreth, president and CEO of Meharry, announced Monday (Nov. 22) that the college will give its 956 students $10,000 each to help alleviate their financial burdens from the coronavirus pandemic, The Tennessean reports. They were expected to receive the money on Wednesday (Nov. 24)

Hildreth delivered the  news via an internal announcement with a video attachment.

In his Thanksgiving message, Hildreth thanked faculty and staff member, adding a special appreciation for the students who are “the future of health care, public health and research that is entrusted to you.”

The Higher Education Emergency Relief Funds, part of the federal CARES Act coronavirus aid package, is the source of the gift. Some schools used the funding to erase student debt or to give cash grants like Meharry’s gift.

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Students can use the money at their own discretion, but he encouraged them to use the funds for their education and training. Hildreth said the money would be deposited in their accounts or available as a check.

Hildreth’s video announcement is below.

Benson Joseph, a Meharry rising senior told The Associated Press that he would likely use some of the money to help cover travel expenses when he interviews for residency programs next year and other expenses financial aid does not cover.

“It feels like Christmas came a little bit early. The last two years have been quite a trial for a lot of us,” said Joseph, a future neurosurgeon from Palm Beach, Florida.