Gov. Jared Polis and the Colorado Opportunity Scholarship Initiative awarded $1 million in COVID-19 relief to 12 colleges and universities in the state, the Colorado Department of Higher Education announced Wednesday.

The colleges and universities can award the money directly to individual students in the form of emergency aid during the fall 2020 and spring 2021 semesters.

The funds are reserved for students who haven’t yet received assistance from the Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund.

Students will apply for the funds through the Colorado Student Relief Fund. Applicants will be prioritized if they have a family income within 250% of Pell grant eligibility and are facing challenges or financial hardship as a result of COVID-19.

The money comes from the $44 million Governor’s Emergency Education Relief Fund.

The following was awarded to institutions:

• Adams State University – $196,000
• Aims Community College – $15,000
• Arapahoe Community College – $71,000
• Colorado Mesa University Foundation – $120,000
• Colorado Mountain College – $105,000
• Colorado State University – $76,000
• Community College of Aurora – $60,000
• Community College of Denver – $41,000
• Lamar Community College – $26,000
• Metropolitan State University of Denver – $133,000
• Morgan Community College – $57,000
• Red Rocks Community College Foundation – $100,000