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CARES Act and the Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund

What is the CARES Act and the Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund?

The HSC is committed to helping our students that have been financially affected by COVID-19. The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act is a federal law and provides funds to higher education institutions to provide emergency financial aid grants to eligible students for expenses related to the disruption of campus operations due to the pandemic.

What is a CARES Act Student Emergency Aid Grant?

Grants are for students who have experienced additional expenses due to COVID-19. Grant funds can help students pay for eligible expenses such as food, housing, course materials, technology, health care, and child care. Funds can also be used for unanticipated expenses for summer or fall, due to the impact of COVID-19.

Who is eligible?

The federal government has established the eligibility criteria that students must meet in order to receive CARES Act Student Emergency Aid Grants. Only students who are eligible for federal aid and have a financial need can be considered.

  • You must have completed a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). If you need to file a FAFSA, please visit studentaid.gov.
  • The U.S. Department of Education does not allow CARES Act Student Emergency Aid Grants to be awarded to:
    • Students who are not enrolled;
    • International students;
    • Undocumented students; and
    • Students enrolled exclusively in online courses before March 13, 2020.

*Students not eligible for CARES Act Student Emergency Aid Grant funding will be automatically reviewed for Student Assistance Funds, while funds remain available.

How do I apply?

CARES Act Grant applications are currently closed. Students in need of financial assistance can complete the Student Assistance Fund application: unthsc.edu/studentassistance.

How will I receive my award?

Funds will be distributed directly to the student by the institution. Other financial aid you have received this academic year is not taken into consideration when approving the funds.

Will the CARES Act Student Emergency Aid Grant first go towards paying any outstanding charges on a student’s account?

No. It will bypass any outstanding charges and be distributed directly to the student.

Is this grant included in my gross income?

No, nor can it be claimed as a deduction or credit for expenses paid with the grant including the tuition and fees deduction, the American Opportunity Credit, or the Lifetime Learning Credit (section 139(h) of the Internal Revenue Code).

Will everyone who applies receive a CARES Act Student Emergency Aid Grant?

The amount of funds received from the U.S. Department of Education for direct emergency financial aid grants to students was $343,849. This amount is not sufficient to support all students, and HSC will follow federal eligibility criteria that requires that students be eligible for federal aid and demonstrate a financial need for expenses directly related to disruption due to COVID-19. We have developed a plan to help as many students as possible while still awarding an amount that is meaningful. Eligible students with the highest demonstrated financial need will be given priority.

Who can I contact if I have questions?

You can email the Office of Care and Civility at CareTeam@unthsc.edu.

CARES Act Reporting Requirements & Disclosure

In accordance with the U.S. Department of Education, Office of Postsecondary Education, and Section 18004(e) of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act), the following information is provided to the public for reporting purposes and will be updated every 45 days after the initial 30-day report from the date HSC received its allocation.

  1. This statement acknowledges that the University of North Texas Health Science Center (UNTHSC) signed and returned a Certification and Agreement on April 29, 2020, to the Department of Education, and assures that the HSC will use no less than 50% of the funds received under Section 18004 (a) (1) of the CARES Act to provide Emergency Financial Aid Grants to students.
  2. UNTHSC received a total of $687,698 from the Department of Education under Section 18004(a)(1) of the CARES Act. The total amount of funds that the HSC received on May 20, 2020, for distribution of emergency financial aid grants to students was $343,849.
  3. The total amount of Student Emergency Aid Grant funds distributed to students under Section 18004(a)(1) of the CARES Act as of August 3, 2020 is $343,849. Remaining funds continue to be disbursed as part of an application process described further below in the methods used to determine which students receive aid and how much they receive.
  4. The estimated total number of students at the HSC eligible to participate in programs under Section 484 in Title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965 and thus eligible to receive Student Emergency Aid Grants to students under Section 18004(a)(1) of the CARES Act is 1,750.
  5. The total number of students who have received a Student Emergency Aid as of August 3, 2020, is 267.
  6. The methods used by the HSC to determine which students receive Student Emergency Aid Grants and how much they will receive under Section 18004(a)(1) of the CARES Acts are as follows:
    • Students who completed the CARES Act Student Emergency Aid Grant application
    • Award priority will be given to students with the highest need as demonstrated either through the calculated EFC from the FAFSA or other factors. The date eligible students complete the application will also be used in making the awards.
    • Amounts will be awarded with the goals to assist as many students as possible based on needs presented in the application.
  7. Instructions, directions, or guidance provided by the HSC to students concerning the Student Emergency Aid Grants are:
    • Email message from the President to students; institutional website; and social media (included information on general instructions on the purpose and allowable use of funds; disbursement information; application; link to the application; contact information; additional emergency aid resources for students).
    • Information regarding the facts surrounding the CARES Act and the Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund is prominently displayed on the FAQ CARES site above.

This page was last modified on August 18, 2023