Emory University on Monday started a $5 million fund for students facing financial hardship during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The fund, “EmoryTogether,” is perhaps the largest amount of money set aside for such purposes in the nation.

“For Emory, and the nation, this is an historic moment — a time defined by our collective efforts to maintain our educational mission and momentum as we work to help mitigate a global pandemic. Those are remarkable, worthy goals, and we believe this community is up to the challenge,” Emory, Georgia’s largest private university, said in a news release.

Qualified students with direct COVID-19 related financial hardships are encouraged to apply for support through the fund, which is available through June 30. The needs may include food, travel, family medical needs. Three Emory students as of Monday have been diagnosed with COVID-19.

Emory’s Division of Campus Life, working with an oversight committee, will review all applications. Undergraduate, graduate and professional students are eligible for the fund. University employees enrolled in degree programs are not eligible for support through this fund but are encouraged to seek support through a separate fund.

Emory officials were unavailable Monday to discuss questions about the fund.

Emory has an endowment of approximately $8 billion, one of the largest in the nation.

Several Georgia colleges and universities, particularly in the Atlanta University Center, have sought donations to help students as campuses have closed to prevent the spread of the novel coronavirus.

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