CARES Act Student Funding
About the CARES Act
Under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act, Newman University has received funds to provide emergency grants to students with unforeseen emergency expenses related to the disruption of campus operations due to COVID-19. Eligible expenses include food, housing, course materials, technology, health care and childcare.
Eligibility Criteria
- Must be a degree-seeking student enrolled in at least 6 credit hours in the Spring 2020 semester on March 13 or after;
- Must have submitted a 2019-2020 FAFSA or be eligible to submit a 2019-2020 FAFSA;
- Must be eligible to receive Title IV aid;
- Must not have been enrolled only in online courses prior to March 13, 2020;
- Incurred “expenses related to the disruption of campus operations due to coronavirus”.
- In accordance with Department of Education guidelines, Newman University will distribute Higher Education Emergency Relief Funds (CARES Act) to eligible students in two ways:
Direct awards of $600 - $1,200 will be given to students receiving Pell Grants and who the federal government defines as having exceptional need based on a student’s 2019-2020 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) application. Students in this group do not need to request or apply for these funds; they will receive notification of the award and steps to accept the funds via their Newman email account. By accepting the funds the student is acknowledging that they have document financial need and/or incurred expenses related to the disruption of campus operation due to COVID-19. Funds will be processed through student accounts and will be issued via paper check. Checks will be mailed to the student at the address currently on file with the Registrar’s office.
Remaining Higher Education Emergency Relief Funds will be set aside for eligible students to access through an application process. Students in this group must have filed a 2019-2020 FAFSA or be eligible to file a FAFSA. Newman University will notify these students of their eligibility to apply for these funds via their Newman University email account. The priority date for application is June 1, 2020 and final deadline for application is June 8, 2020. Consideration will be given for housing and/or food insecurity, childcare, medical expenses, educational supplies, or technology expenses. Students in this category will be eligible to receive funds ranging from $100 - $4,000. Funds will be processed through student accounts and will issued via paper check. Checks will be mailed to the student at the address currently on file with the Registrar’s office.
HEERF II APPLICATIONS ARE NOW CLOSED.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. How will Newman University distribute the funds?
All emergency funds will be processed through student accounts. Students will receive a paper check via mail. The funds will not be applied to past or current charges or outstanding balances.
2. Do I have to file a FAFSA to be eligible?
Yes. You will have to have an accepted 2019-2020 FAFSA on file. If you have not completed a 2019-2020 FAFSA, you can find the application here.
3. How do I apply for the emergency grants?
Pell-eligible students do not need to apply for funding; they will receive automatic notification of the award via their Newman University email account. Otherwise eligible students who are not automatically awarded funding will receive an email via their NU email of their eligibility. These students will need to complete the HEERF application. HEERF II APPLICATIONS ARE NOW CLOSED.
4. How much will I be awarded?
Pell-eligible students will receive a one-time distribution of $600 - $1,200. All other eligible students will be eligible to receive a one-time distribution ranging from $100 to $4,000. Awards are dependent on your eligibility, your financial need, the overall applicant pool, and available funds.
5. Can these funds be applied to my current or past due balance?
These funds can only be used for specific costs that you incurred as a result of the COVID-19 campus disruption. These costs include food, housing, course materials, technology, health care, and childcare.
6. Are these funds taxable?
No.
7. Is there a deadline to apply for these funds?
Yes, priority consideration is June 1, 2020 and final deadline to apply is June 8, 2020