August 25, 2004
SIUC boosts region's economy
CARBONDALE, Ill. -- Southern Illinois University Carbondale pumped just under $15 million into the region's economy over the past week.
SIUC's financial aid office last week mailed 6,539 refund checks totaling $14.81 million to students. Students receive the excess funds from grants, loans and scholarships after paying their tuition and fees.
That means a boost to the local economy, as they use the money for school-related supplies such as books, and to cover essentials such as rent, utilities and groceries.
Daniel R. Mann, financial aid director, said the first round of 5,902 checks, mailed Aug. 17, totaled $13.94 million. The second round of 637 checks, sent Aug. 20, totaled $868,890.
A year ago, the financial aid office sent 5,728 checks totaling $11.66 million.