WCU announces additional emergency financial assistance for currently enrolled students for spring 2020
CARES Act Emergency Grant Funds
Made possible by the U.S. Department of Education through its Coronavirus Aid, Relief
and Economic Security Act (CARES Act), emergency assistance grants are now available
for currently enrolled WCU students with financial need stemming from COVID-19-related
disruption of campus operations. The U.S. Department of Education has determined
that students must be eligible for Title IV aid to qualify for the CARES Act grants.
WCU students who are currently enrolled for the spring 2020 semester may begin to
apply for funding beginning Friday, May 1. Students may complete the application
in Scholarship Manager
The CARES Act comes at a critical time when students and their families continue to adjust to numerous financial challenges imposed by the COVID-19 pandemic. Currently enrolled WCU students who meet the eligibility requirements provided by the U.S. Department of Education may be awarded emergency financial assistance cash grants of up to $750 to assist with need due to COVID-19’s impact on campus. The University has made the decision that students who are eligible for the Pell Grant may receive up to $1,000 in a CARES Act grant.
To determine Title IV eligibility, students are required to submit a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) at https://studentaid.gov/fafsa. The FAFSA form must be completed prior to submitting an application for a CARES Act grant. Funding is limited, and requests will be processed on a first-come, first-served basis until WCU’s allocated federal funds have been exhausted. If federal funds remain, emergency financial assistance through the CARES Act for summer and/or fall session will be announced at a later date.
The U.S. Department of Education has determined that a student is not eligible for consideration if they were enrolled in programs that were exclusively online even before COVID-19 closures or withdrew from the University prior to Friday, March 13. In addition, newly admitted students are not eligible for the government funding.
Frequently asked questions about the CARES Act grant may be accessed at https://www.wcupa.edu/healthNotices/caresActFAQ.aspx.
West Chester University remains committed to lessening the burden of students facing expenses related to the disruption of campus operations due to COVID-19. Prior to the CARES Act, WCU returned to students monies unused for services that ceased as a result of the pandemic’s interruption.
Since March, West Chester University’s Bursar’s Office has been sending prorated refunds for services that have been suspended; these COVID-19 Relief Credits have absolutely no impact on financial aid awards (grants, scholarships, or loans).