‘I wasn’t expecting this’: Colleges using pandemic funds to clear outstanding student balances

Annissa Young thought the email was a scam. The message was a little too good to be true:

“Trinity [Washington University] has selected you to receive a grant to satisfy your outstanding balance. … You are receiving a fresh financial start toward completing your program at Trinity!”

The rising junior at the women’s college in the District read and reread the email, then forwarded it to her dad, her mom and her boyfriend.