Emergency Fund FAQs
The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act provides funding for individual institutions of higher education to award emergency grants to students. These grants are intended to support students most impacted during the disruption caused by the coronavirus.
ECU has established a clear set of guiding principles to distribute CARES money effectively, equitably, and quickly. Our hope is to help our students stay enrolled at ECU, mitigate financial impacts from COVID-19, and maintain progress toward earning their degrees – a lifelong goal for so many students and families in our community.
ELIGIBILITY
The value of grants will vary based on students’ individual situations, but our distribution plan is designed to help the most students with the greatest financial need. Students must meet the following minimum criteria to be eligible for a CARES Emergency Grant:
- Enrolled for Spring 2020 as an on campus student
- Registered for Summer 2020 or Fall 2020 classes
- Eligible to receive federal financial aid, as determined by the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)
Keep in mind that not all students who meet these criteria will receive grants; funds are limited and student needs are great. Funds will be awarded first to those with the most financial need based on the FAFSA. Students who did not file a FAFSA should file the FAFSA by June 15, 2020.
Federal guidelines prohibit us from distributing funds to international students, undocumented students, or students enrolled in Online Degree programs.
AWARDS
ECU will distribute some of the CARES Act funds as set amount grants that will automatically be posted to eligible students’ accounts and issued to them as a refund. These automatic grants will be given to Pell eligible students with the most significant financial need. In keeping with legislative guidelines, ECU will use a range of financial aid/FAFSA data to assess and prioritize need. This will occur before the end of May.
Beyond these automatic grants, we also have created a clear and simple application process so students can seek support easily. Applications will be reviewed regularly, and grants will be provided to those who qualify. The application form has been shared with students through their ECU email. Because there are limited funds, not every student who applies will be awarded the full amount requested. These grants will be awarded until the funds allocated have been exhausted.
NON-CARES ACT FUNDING
We will also continue to distribute funds from our existing Student Emergency Fund and Student Treasure Chest accounts. These funds provide immediate relief for students facing unexpected financial adversity. These funds are supported through the generosity of ECU donors and are administered through ECU Student Affairs and University Advancement. Students can apply for emergency funds through the same application provided for CARES funding. If you have already filled out this form, please do not fill it out again. At this time, we are not reviewing second appeals of those who have already received awards.
FAQS
Who is overseeing CARES Act Grant application and awarding?
CARES grants are being overseen by a team that includes representatives from across the University. The point of contact for students with questions (undergraduate and graduate) is the Student Treasure Chest advisory committee, who are reviewing applications and monitoring emails. Emails sent to covid19grants@ecu.edu will in nearly all cases be answered within twenty-four business hours.
What is the 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. One section of the CARES Act established the Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund (HEERF), which provides money to schools for emergency grants distributed to qualifying students for expenses related to the disruption of campus operations due to the pandemic. ECU has signed and returned the certification and agreement form as required by the U.S. Department of Education in order to award funds.
How much money is available to ECU under the CARES Act?
The university received approximately $19.4 million in total funds, of which $9.7 million will be used specifically for the awarding of emergency financial aid grants to students.
Who is/isn’t eligible for CARES Act grants?
Basic minimum eligibility is limited to students enrolled in campus-based degree or certificate programs who were enrolled in Spring 2020, who have registered for Summer 2020 or Fall 2020 (or graduated in Spring 2020), and who have a valid FAFSA on file.
The following student types are NOT eligible within the ECU CARES Emergency Grant plan, per U.S. Department of Education guidelines:
- International Students.
- Students enrolled in Online Degree Programs. (This applies to fully-online programs vs. campus-based programs with online courses.)
- Students who are not eligible for other forms of federal support, including those who are undocumented or who hold DACA status.
When will I find out if I have received a CARES Emergency Grant?
Students will be notified in late May via a message to their ECU email account. Recipients will see the amount of their grant posted to their student account before it is disbursed. Students are encouraged to verify their banking information and update their mailing addresses to help funds move quickly. More detailed instructions on how to do this are available here.
What is the deadline to apply for grant funds?
Students submitting applications for grant funds (who do not qualify for automatic award criteria) should apply as soon as possible. We are currently reviewing applications as they are received and will continue to do so until funds are depleted.
How much will I receive from a CARES Act grant?
We anticipate most of the awards we issue to range from $500-$1,500 depending on individual student circumstances.
How will I receive my grant funds?
Grants will be posted directly into the student account and funds will either be disbursed through direct deposit or through a mailed check. Students are encouraged to verify their banking information and update their mailing addresses to help funds move quickly.
Will federal emergency grant funding affect a student’s financial aid?
No. Federal CARES Act grants are not considered student financial aid funds and will not be included on award notifications, automatically applied to bills, or subtracted from current or future total financial aid eligibility.
What if I have an outstanding account balance at ECU?
As long as students meet all CARES eligibility requirements, outstanding balances will not disqualify them from receiving CARES Act grants. Unlike regular financial aid, CARES funds will not be used to pay or reduce what they owe ECU. These grants will be refunded to them even if they have a current balance due.
We know students with outstanding balances may be facing very immediate needs with a range of payments and financial challenges. We hope they will use the money to ease their financial burden and continue their education.
If a student has an outstanding account balance and receives other types of funding from the Student Emergency Fund or additional grants, those balances might be paid first with the remaining funds going to the student.
If I was automatically awarded CARES funding, can I also apply for a separate emergency grant?
Yes. Receiving an automatic CARES award does not disqualify students from being eligible to apply for more CARES funding, or for a STC/Emergency Fund grant.
I’m eligible for Financial Aid. Why didn’t I receive a CARES Act grant?
CARES Act funds are limited; therefore, students who meet basic eligibility criteria for federal financial aid and who have the greatest financial need will receive the first distribution of these funds. The University will use FAFSA data to determine eligibility. If you receive financial aid but did not receive a CARES Act grant, you may request that the University review your current situation by applying for emergency aid funding (see Awards section above).
Is there other emergency funding available to students?
The Student Emergency Fund and Students Treasure Chest accounts are funded through the generosity of ECU donors and administered through Student Affairs and University Advancement. We are using this fund to distribute immediate relief to students facing unexpected financial adversity related to COVID-19. Students can apply for funds through the online emergency fund application. We are using the same form for CARES Act grants and emergency funding, and our team of reviewers will determine if students are applicable for various funds. Again, if you have already filled out this form and have been awarded funding, please do not fill it out again.