The first day back on the Iona campus just got a lot sweeter for some students.

Iona College surprised third-year MFT and school psychology students with $10,000 stipends.

A total of 24 behavioral health students at the college received the stipends to put toward their graduate degree.

Iona College applied for a federal grant that aims to increase the number of behavioral health professionals and access to such services in underserved communities.

Students tell News 12 the financial aid will make a big difference for them in paying off school and starting their careers.

To qualify for the grant, students must keep up with a specific curriculum and extracurricular opportunities.