SLIPPERY ROCK — More than 2,000 Slippery Rock University students will not have to worry about paying extra next semester after a state cutback.

SRU announced Wednesday that it would cover money students will not receive for the spring semester after a reduction in awards from the Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency State Grant Program.

PHEAA provides need-based student aids. The reduction would have affected 2,346 SRU students with a combined $327,764 in funding cuts, according to a news release from SRU.

The reduction to each affected student ranged between $23 and $166.

“Many of our students rely on this funding to assist with their educational costs and we decided to step in during this time of economic uncertainty as it pertains to state funding,” said Philip Way, SRU interim president, in the news release.