CARES Act 2020
May 04, 2020
UPDATE: This funding has been fully expended in both the student portion and the institutional portions.
Kutztown University has received federal funding from the CARES Act, which provides assistance for student expenses related to the disruption of campus operations due to coronavirus. Students can request funds in these categories:
- Food
- Housing
- Course Materials
- Technology
- Health Care
- Childcare expenses
- Other Expenses (Expenses that do not fit any of the above)
Am I eligible?
You may be eligible for CARES Act funding if you are enrolled in at least one face-to-face course during the 2020 spring semester, have filed a FAFSA, completed verification if requested and are meeting all eligibility necessary to receive federal funding as stated in Section 484 of the Higher Education Act.
Fall 2020 is the same.
International, dual credit, non-U.S.-citizen students, and students enrolled exclusively in online courses prior to March 13, 2020, are not eligible for CARES Act funding.
Do I have to apply if I am eligible, or will I be refunded automatically?
Spring 2020 response: You do not have to apply. If you meet the criteria to receive an award, one will be added to your MyKU account and refunded to you through BankMobile automatically.
Fall 2020 response: You must apply and if approved by the committee and funds are still available, you will be refunded automatically through BankMobile.
What if I am not eligible but have an emergent need?
You can complete a request at the link below for other funding that might be available. Please be sure your request is complete and includes any support for financial requests. A committee will review and reply within 7 business days. We understand all requests are urgent. We do appreciate your patience as we review requests.
KU Care Team Emergency Funds Request
Was there a mass distribution of CARES Act funding this Fall 2020 semester like in the spring?
On Nov 13, 2020, Kutztown University released $190 to each of our neediest students who qualified meeting certain criteria such as being FAFSA eligible with a completed and verified FAFSA, low EFC. These students were emailed and issued a refund even if they owed a balance due to KU to assist them. These funds could not be retained and applied to a KU balance. Others who did not qualify, are still welcome to apply for emergency funding if they have an emergent need with support. The link is above.
Frequently Asked Questions
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What is the CARES Act, 2020?
- The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act is federal legislation that provides a variety of financial support to individuals and organizations affected by the COVID-19 (novel coronavirus) pandemic.
- The CARES Act, 2020 includes a Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund (HEERF) that provides more than $14 billion in emergency funding to higher education. Of those funds, more than $6 billion must go directly to students in the form of emergency financial aid grants (HEERF-student share) for expenses related to the disruption of campus operations due to the COVID-19 crisis.
- Kutztown University received $ 3.71 million dollars to be provided directly to students for their expenses related to the disruption of campus operations due to coronavirus, such as food, housing, course materials, technology, health care, and child-care.
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How much will I receive?
We are committed to assisting all eligible students that may have been impacted by the coronavirus pandemic to the greatest extent possible with the CARES Act funds available.
Spring 2020: Utilizing criteria from Section 484 of the Higher Education Act and data regarding our Kutztown University students, some will qualify for a $295.00 award while some of our neediest students will qualify for a $640.00 award.
Fall 2020: Application only, must meet criteria previously mentioned and be approved by the committee for a COVID-related financial impact.
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How will I receive this money?
Emergency grants will be processed through Student Accounts through the refund option you previously selected with BankMobile Disbursements. To review/modify your selected option, log into www.bankmobilevibe.com; to make a refund selection go to https://bankmobiledisbursements.com/refundchoices. If you no longer have your personal code, click on Need a Code below the box and proceed. If you are still having difficulty, please email the Office of Student Accounts for guidance and direction.
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Do I need to repay the money?
No, you will not need to repay any money received through this fund.
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Can I apply for more funding than the automatic award I received?
Yes, you may. Please note these awards are not intended to replace stimulus payments a student may, or may not be, eligible for. These funds are to assist a student with the expenses above incurred from the disruption to campus operations from the coronavirus.
You can request funds for the remainder of the 2020 spring semester – April and May. After your application is received, we will contact you within 7 days at your KU email address to either notify you of your application approval or ask for more information. Please know we are reviewing these requests with urgency and ask for your patience if it takes a bit longer to respond.
New grant applications can be submitted in June and July for expenses related to Summer I and II.
Fall 2020 applications are currently being accepted through December 11th.
KU Care Team Emergency Funds Request
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Can I apply for funding more than once?
If you apply for additional funds after your base award, you may only fill out the application for the 2020 spring semester once. New grant applications can be submitted in June and July for expenses related to Summer I and II enrollment and attendance. Fall grant applications can be submitted from August through December 11, 2020.
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Does this funding affect my other financial aid?
No. The CARES Act funds are an emergency grant to help you manage unexpected expenses related to the coronavirus, and it will not have any impact on other financial aid you may be eligible to receive.
Other funds for emergent needs may affect your Financial Aid cost of attendance limits.
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What if I still have an account balance?
Any CARES Act funding awarded to you will be paid to you directly, and it will not cover any outstanding balances owed to Kutztown University. Any outstanding balance owed to KU will remain the responsibility of the student.
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Are the Emergency Grants taxable?
The emergency grants are not reported on the 1098-T for 2020. Please consult with a tax guide or financial advisor to determine what would be taxable for your specific situation.
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Are there local or regional resources to access food pantries or other related services for me and my family?
Yes. Friend Inc. has a Food Pantry at 658D Noble Street in Kutztown. Contact Friend at https://www.friendinc.org/ or 610-683-7790. You can also find a food bank near you at Feeding America.org, and the State of Pennsylvania provides additional resources and information at this link.
