Transylvania University students will receive emergency funds as a result of the recently approved Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act. The Act provides federal aid to institutions of higher education to help students cover expenses related to the disruption of campus operations due to COVID-19 through emergency grants.
“We know that many of our Transy students and your families have encountered unprecedented financial challenges. While no formula can easily determine which students have the greatest need, we wish to distribute these funds quickly and simply,” Interim President John N. Williams said in a message to students Tuesday.
Each full-time Transylvania student who receives a federal Pell Grant for the current term will receive $1,000 from the CARES Act funding. All other full-time, degree-seeking Transylvania students who were eligible to file a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), whether they filed one or not, will receive a $250 CARES Act grant. These are one-time grants from the federal government and do not require any repayment.
“We anticipate disbursing funds within the next week, as soon as we receive the funding from the federal government,” Williams said.
Following the initial distribution of funds to eligible full-time students, individual students with more significant needs will be able to apply for additional funding in accordance with the guidelines issued by the U.S. Department of Education using the university’s online emergency grant application.
“We recognize the unique challenges this global health pandemic has created for our community. But we also know the resilience of our students, faculty and staff, who have already shown the ability to adapt to the new circumstances we face. Our Pioneer family will get through this together,” Williams said.