USU to distribute over $8 million to students in need
Utah State University is distributing funds raised through an emergency grant for eligible students this week.
The federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act granted USU $17,428,745. Approximately half that amount, $8.7 million, will be going toward students who qualify under eligibility guidelines.
“We know many students faced unanticipated costs associated with the pandemic this last semester, and many are struggling right now trying to make ends meet,” said USU President Noelle Cockett. “We’re distributing CARES Act funds in a way to help those who need it the most, while also providing other ways for students to access help.”
Director of crisis communications and issues management Amanda DeRito, said the CARES Act allocated and distributed funds for each university depending on the number of students and student needs.
“50 percent of the amount that USU received is designated to go directly to students,” she said. “The purpose is to help students whose lives were disrupted. Specifically, those who are facing financial challenges.”
DeRito said some of the remaining 50 percent of the emergency grant will go toward the university’s unanticipated expenses. These expenses include over $2 million in refunds on housing, meal plans and parking for students after they left campus.
A portion of the remaining funds is also being reserved for the summer and fall semesters.
“Students will probably have some needs going into the next few semesters,” DeRito said. “We’re not over the pandemic quite yet, so we wanted to make sure we could continue to help students until we are free of it.”
According to DeRito,the amount of aid a USU student can receive ranges from $500 to $800.
“That’s enough to make an impact if a student has faced unanticipated costs of having to buy additional technology for online classes,” she said, “or if a student had to return home and needed to suddenly buy an airline ticket on short notice.”
DeRito said the amount of funding students can receive depends on their financial need. After factoring in the cost of tuition, fees, room and board and looking at contributions from family and federal aid, an index is created for each student. Students with a greater need are prioritized.
According to USU’s press release, eligibility considerations for the grant include the number of credits a student took Spring of 2020, and information from their 2019-2020 FAFSA. However, international, undocumented and non-matriculated students are excluded from receiving funds. Students enrolled exclusively in online classes prior to March 13, 2020, are also ineligible to receive emergency funding.
DeRito said the emphasis is to make sure students can continue their college education.
“The worst scenario would be students cannot continue and this disrupts their whole life,” she said. “If they can’t finish college, it will affect how much they earn overall, so we really want to make sure we keep students on their path and help them graduate.”
Students who qualify for emergency funding will receive an email this week asking them to fill out information needed to receive their aid.
Students who do not qualify for the CARES act, but still need financial assistance, can apply to the USU COVID-19 Student Emergency Hardship Resources Fund.
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