USU to receive another $8.7 million for student aid from Congress
Utah State University will receive another $8.7 million from Congress to distribute to students in need of financial aid in 2021.
After receiving $8.7 million to distribute to students in April through the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act, USU has dispersed $7.5 million of those funds to students. The university also distributed money through the Hardship Fund created by vice president for student affairs James Morales.
“The welfare of our students is our top priority,” President Noelle Cockett said in a statement. “Many of our students have faced unanticipated financial hardship as part of the pandemic, and we have worked tirelessly to find ways to assist them in continuing their academic pursuits. We thank the private donors to our Hardship Fund for providing an additional avenue to support our students.”
Now, nearly a year after the pandemic began, Congress has passed another COVID-19 relief act for higher education institutions.
USU Vice President Robert Wagner said this new legislation is called Corona Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act, but refers to it as “CARES 2.0.”
“Right before the holiday break, Congress passed an additional relief package that earmarked money for higher education,” Wagner said. “From that new relief package, USU has received another $8.7 million to disperse to students.”
Before USU can begin distributing funds from CRRSAA, or CARES 2.0, the university has to finish dispersing the remaining funds from the initial CARES Act.
“We have about $1.1 million remaining from the original CARES Act that will be distributed to students,” Wagner said.
Wagner said the remaining $1.1 million will be distributed soon, after the third week of spring semester.
“We are in the planning stages of our next initiative,” he said. “We’re waiting until after the third week because that’s when students are settled in their courses and aren’t adding or dropping classes. We’re eager to implement our next initiative. We know we have students who have needs and we want to move as quickly as we can to get money out there.”
As part of the original CARES act, $7.5 million was disbursed to students through several initiatives from April to December.
The first initiative occurred in April, just weeks after USU received the funds, and used up over $4 million. In the fall semester, there were two initiatives: a technology grant and an initiative that distributed $1.3 million to students.
“Right before spring semester started, we did another technology grant for new USU students who didn’t receive aid last fall,” Wagner said.
After that initiative, Wagner anticipates the university will begin distributing funds from CRRSAA.
“We’ll have one year to distribute the new $8.7 million,” he said. “We are planning on additional initiatives this spring semester to get money into the hands of students who need help. As an institution, we are very grateful for the money we have received. Since April, there have been over 11,000 students we have been able to give money to in order to support them. That’s something we’re very proud of. We know there continues to be need and we will continue to work hard to help students meet their needs.”
The university determines how to distribute funds through the “USU Need Index,” which shows the financial data of all USU students. To qualify for federal aid, students must have filled out the FAFSA.
“If they haven’t filled out the FAFSA yet, I encourage them to do that so the institution can identify students with financial need,” Wagner said.
Wagner said students who are worried about their future at USU because of the pandemic’s impact should utilize the campus’ mental health services.
“We understand the pandemic has a tremendous impact on students, faculty and staff,” he said. “If students are feeling the effects of COVID and it’s taking an emotional or mental toll, reaching out to the university’s mental health services is very important. There are links on the student portal page. Click on those links and look into the resources. There are professionals who are waiting to assist and support students.”