Federal CARES Act Financial Assistance for Students
In Spring 2020, Stevens received approximately $1.5 million from the federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act to assist eligible students experiencing unexpected financial challenges that occurred as a result of the disruption of campus operations due to the COVID-19 pandemic, including food insecurity, housing, course materials, learning technology needs, health care and child-care expenses. Assistance through the CARES Act may not be used for university charges, such as tuition, fees, room, and board.
Eligibility
Emergency grants must be awarded in accordance with federal guidance, which requires that recipients are eligible for Title IV (federal) financial aid. To be eligible, students must currently have a 2020-2021 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) on file at Stevens, have submitted all required documentation (as applicable) and must meet all satisfactory academic progress standards for Title IV aid.Graduate students who are enrolled in programs offered through "StevensOnline", international and undocumented students, and students who are not Title IV eligible may not apply. In addition, students must meet the following criteria to be considered for a grant:
Enrolled in the Fall 2020 semester as an undergraduate or graduate student in a Stevens degree program
Have and be able to demonstrate financial hardship caused by or because of the disruption of campus operations due to the COVID-19 pandemic, based on expenses related to their cost of attendance, such as food, housing, course materials, technology, health care and child-care expenses.
How to Apply for Cares Act Grants
Stevens has provided two applications for students to apply for CARES Act grants; one for off-campus housing relief and the second for emergency assistance for expenses such as food insecurity, course materials, learning technology needs, health care, child-care expenses and housing expenses not related to off-campus leases. Students may file both applications if they qualify. Applications will be reviewed and funding decisions made inthe order in which applicatiosn are received, and students will be notified via email when a decision has been made on their application. Priority will be given to students who have not previously received funding from the CARES Act and who apply by Friday, September 4, 2020.
1. Off-campus Housing Relief Application
Students who (a) are enrolled in a degree program for the Fall 2020 semester, (b) meet the eligibility requirements for Title IV federal assistance as stated above, (c) have or can demonstrate financial hardship due to the disruption of campus operations due to the COVID-10 pandemic and (d) have incurred expenses related to off-campus husing for the Fall 2020 semester, and in each case are required to attend classes remotely (and are not permitted on campus), may be considered for a CARES Act Student Emergency Assistance grant for Housing Relief in an amount up to $2,500 provided that:
the student will not live in their off-campus housing during the fall 2020 semester and will remain with family or at another address for the entire fall 2020 semester; and
the student has not been able to secure an acceptable subtenant, may not sublease under their lease or has terminated their lease and incurred an early termination fee.
CARES OFF-CAMPUS HOUSING RELIEF APPLICATION
2. Student Emergency Assistance Grant
Students who (a) are enrolled in a degree program for the Fall 2020 semester, (b) meet the eligibility requirements for Title IV federal assistance stated above, and (c) have or can demonstrate financial hardship due to the disruption of campus operations due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and in each case have incurred unexpected costs such as food insecurity, course materials, learning technology needs, health care, child-care expenses or housing expenses which are not related to off-campus leases (as described above) may apply for CARES Act Student Emergency Assistance grants.
FAQs
This section addresses the Federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act, intended to assist eligible students experiencing unexpected financial challenges as a result of the disruption of campus operations due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
CARES STUDENT EMERGENCY ASSISTANCE GRANT APPLICATION
Access is limited to students who login with Stevens credentials.
The Student Emergency Assistance Grant provides emergency relief to students experiencing hardship due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Funding is made possible through the federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act. The U.S. Department of Education had determined the eligibility requirements for funding.
The grant must be used for living expenses or unexpected financial challenges that occur as a result of the disruption of campus operations due to the COVID-19 pandemic, including food insecurity, housing, course materials, learning technology needs, health care and child-care expenses.
Undergraduate and graduate students who can demonstrate financial hardship and have expenses described above as a result of the disruption of campus operations due to the COVID-19 pandemic may apply for assistance. Students who have filed a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), meet eligibility requirements for Title IV federal financial aid (including federal loan programs), and were enrolled in an on-campus degree program before March 11, 2020 for Spring 2020 are eligible to apply for Student Emergency Assistance Grantfunds.
The CARES Act excludes students who are not eligible for Title IV funds such as international or undocumented students, as well as students who were enrolled in fully online programs at the start of the Spring 2020 semester. Please see https://studentaid.gov/understand-aid/eligibility/requirements for explanation of Title IV requirements.
Students must submit the COVID-19 Student Emergency Assistance Fund application. Please do not provide any supporting documentation with your application. This information may be requested during the application review process. Applicants are asked to recognize that these funds are for students who are experiencing hardship. The committee reviewing applications will give priority to the neediest students.
The amount of each grant will be determined by the amount requested, explanation of financial need/hardship, and the availability of funds.
No. CARES Act emergency grants are required by federal regulation to be made directly to students and cannot be applied by the University toward any outstanding balances that may still be owed by the student. As such, receipt of these funds does not indicate the recipient has satisfied their financial obligations to Stevens for outstanding balances. Please check your current account balance to determine if you have an outstanding balance for Spring 2020.
Funds will be paid directly to the student via check.
All eligible students must complete an online application to be considered for CARES Act funding.Applicants must provide a written narrative (less than 500 words) describing how these emergency funds will be used for expenses related to the disruption of campus operations due to COVID-19 (i.e. food, housing, course materials, technology, health care and child-care expenses).
We are planning to communicate a decision within 2 weeks after the application is received.However, the timetable depends on the number of applications received.
Priority will be given to students applying for CARES Act funding for the first time. Students who receive a CARES Act grant and subsequently experience additional hardship should contact the Office of Financial Aid.
Applications must be received by June 15, 2020. If all funds are not expended or if additional funding becomes available, the application deadline may be extended.
No, the grant cannot be used to pay outstanding student account balances. Students with account balances who are experiencing hardship due to the COVID-19 pandemic should contact the Office of Student Accounts: [email protected] or the Office of Financial Aid: [email protected].
My family’s financial situation has changed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Can I get a reconsideration of my financial aid offer for the upcoming 2020-2021academic year?
The financial uncertainty caused by the COVID-19 pandemic is concerning to many families. As each family’s financial situation is unique, we suggest that students contact the Office of Financial Aid for guidance as soon as possible. Financial aid notifications for the upcoming 2020-2021 academic year are expected to be released in June 2020.
No, the IRS has confirmed that funds received through the CARES Act are not taxable.
If I don’t qualify for CARES Act funding, but have emergency needs due to COVID-19, what should I do?
Please reach out to the following offices for assistance: Undergraduate Students: [email protected] and Graduate Students: [email protected].