AKRON, Ohio — The University of Akron is now offering emergency grants to students facing financial hardship during the coronavirus pandemic.
The grants are part of funding the school received from the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act and is aimed at helping students “whose lives and educations have been disrupted by the pandemic,” according to the university.
“While our students have proven to be quite resilient, we are thankful that we have the ability to deliver funds that might help to alleviate some of the financial pressures they are experiencing,” said John Messina, vice president for student affairs. “It is our goal to distribute these funds as widely as possible to assist as many UA students as we can.”
The school received $14 million from the CARES Act. Half of that has to be used to help current students who are facing hardship due to the pandemic.
According to the university, the grants can be used for housing, food, course materials, technology and childcare. The school said it will deposit $1,200 checks to the 4,000 students who are Pell Grant recipients and enrolled in the spring 2020 semester. The leftover money will be available to students who apply to receive an additional grant of up to $1,000.
Grant eligibility:
- Enrollment in a degree-seeking program as an undergraduate student, or as a graduate or law student with Title IV eligibility —Federal Pell Grant, Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (SEOG), Federal Perkins Loan, Federal Subsidized and Unsubsidized Direct Loans. College Credit Plus students are ineligible.
- Eligible as determined by the Free Application for Federal Student Aid or FAFSA
- U.S. citizenship or eligible noncitizen
- A valid Social Security number
- Registration with Selective Service (if the student is male)
- Maintain satisfactory academic progress in their course of study
- Do not owe a refund on grants previously received or in default on any federal student loans
- Must have been enrolled in at least one face-to-face or hybrid class in spring 2020 semester
More information regarding FAFSA
- According to U.S. Department of Education, only students who are eligible to participate in Federal Title IV programs may receive CARES Act funds. Therefore, if you already filed a 2019-20 FAFSA and receive Title IV aid, then you are eligible to apply for CARES Act funds.
- If you have not filed a FAFSA, apply at studentaid.gov/FAFSA to be considered
The university said applications will be considered until the funds are depleted. After an application is approved, students can expect to receive the funds within 10 days.
For more information as well as where to apply, click here.
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