This page is maintained for record-keeping purposes. All CARES initiatives have been closed.
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Frequently Asked Questions
How much was disbursed to students?
As of Dec. 31, 2020, USU disbursed a total of $7,540,170 to 10,977 students.
What is the federal CARES Act?
The Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act was passed by Congress and signed into law to provide economic relief from COVID-19. A section of the CARES Act provides specific funds for higher education institutions to provide emergency financial aid grants to students whose lives have been disrupted, many of whom are facing financial challenges and struggling to make ends meet.
How much money did USU receive?
Nearly 14 billion dollars were allocated to higher education institutions across the nation. USU has submitted the required certification and agreements to receive $17,428,745. USU will allocate 50% of the received funds to provide direct emergency grants to students.
Who was eligible to receive grants?
According to the U.S. Department of Education, students must meet the basic eligibility criteria for federal financial aid, which includes having filled out a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). It is estimated, that over 21,000 USU students meet the basic requirements. Funds can be distributed to undergraduate, graduate, and professional students pursing a degree. Students must be enrolled full-time to receive a technology grant.
Unfortunately, the U.S. Department of Education has excluded international students, undocumented students, non-matriculated students, or students enrolled exclusively in online courses prior to March 13, 2020.
How were grants disbursed?
CARES grant amounts during spring semester 2020 ranged from $100-$800 based on enrollment levels and financial need. CARES Act technology grants were awarded during Fall 2020, with $300-400 per student.
CARES Act funds were allocated to students in two ways:
- USU used an institutional need index to identify students with the greatest financial need based on students' FAFSAs.
- Students who did not fill out the FAFSA or who were not deemed eligible for an emergency grant could still apply for reconsideration by applying separately. A student still had to fill out the FAFSA to be considered.
If students were not automatically awarded a CARES grant, how could they still apply?
Students who had not recently filled out the FAFSA or whose financial situation had changed since then were able to apply through an application process. All CARES initiatives are now closed.
Why didn’t some students receive CARES Act grants?
Students may not have received a CARES grant because they did not meet the general eligibility requirements based on the information USU had about them.