Tulane University is offering a tuition-free semester at its New Orleans, La., campus to college students in Puerto Rico who were displaced by Hurricane Maria.

“Today, we’re making good on our offer of help by offering a tuition-free guest semester program for students from universities and colleges in Puerto Rico,” the university said in a post on its admissions department blog. “After Katrina, universities and colleges around the world took in our students with open arms; it’s now our turn to pay it forward and assist students in need.”

ADVERTISEMENT

The post instructs Puerto Rican students to fill out an application for the semester on its website and pay spring tuition to their home university. The university also said it will provide dedicated advisers and support staff for displaced students.

“It is our hope to be able to provide a temporary home to a group of students who have dealt with the challenges of Hurricane Maria and her aftermath,” the university said. “The city of New Orleans and Tulane hope to welcome you this spring to help you get your education back on track.”

“New Orleans may not be your home, but we'll do our best to make your temporary shelter from the storm.”

Puerto Rico was devastated by hurricanes last month, leaving millions of people without power and clean drinking water.

Experts estimate the cost of damage caused by Hurricane Maria to be between $45 and $90 billion. Officials on the island expect electricity won’t be fully restored for up to six months.

Less than 15 percent of Puerto Ricans had power as of Saturday, according to the government’s online tracker.