SHREVEPORT, La. (AP) — A Louisiana junior college is using federal COVID-19 relief money to eliminate student debt for anyone who has attended over the past year.

The offer from Southern University at Shreveport should help students who faced financial hardships during the pandemic return to school without worrying about owing money, university Chancellor Rodney Ellis announced Friday.

The school also is offering $1,000 in financial aid to any students who enroll by Aug. 6, Ellis said.

The university estimates it will cost $3.5 million to pay off the debt of all students from spring 2020 to spring 2021.

“Come be Southern, come get your education, get your lives back on track and help us to help you succeed,” Ellis said at the announcement.