Distribution of CARES Act Funds to Students  

On April 9, the U.S. Department of Education announced the allocation of student aid grants to students through universities and colleges as a result of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act.

The Department of Education provided higher education with broad guidelines for the distribution of these grants to students, though a letter from the Secretary of Education urged that the money be provided to students "with the greatest need."

The federal stimulus package earmarked $6 billion nationally for students, and the allocation for each individual school was based predominantly on the number of students enrolled who are eligible to receive Pell Grants. Institutions have a year to disburse the funds.

Seton Hall University was allocated approximately $2.8 million, which it will begin to distribute in May through two separate programs.

Several weeks ago, President Joseph E. Nyre directed us to examine the CARES Act and its related guidance, apply for funds, and develop a distribution methodology consistent with the Department of Education guidance.

With our methodology complete, and the funds now in hand, we write to inform you about the distribution of aid to students.

Distributing Pell-Grant-Related Emergency Funds

Because 75 percent of the CARES Act emergency student funding to universities was based on the number of students at each school eligible to receive Pell Grants, Seton Hall will distribute

75 percent of its grant — approximately $2.1 million — automatically to students who are enrolled in the spring 2020 semester and are recipients of Pell Grants. 

Checks will be mailed by the bursar's office to students' homes as soon as possible, likely by the end of May. 

Students are asked to visit PirateNet to confirm their home mailing addresses are accurate to ensure checks reach their proper destinations.

Distributing General Student Emergency Funds

Twenty-five percent of emergency student funding from the CARES Act was based on an institution's total undergraduate and graduate enrollment; Seton Hall's funds from this allotment — approximately $718,000 — will be distributed among undergraduate and graduate students who are enrolled at Seton Hall in the spring 2020 semester.

Individual grants of $750 will be made to students demonstrating coronavirus-caused hardship. Funds will be distributed until exhausted.

Students must apply for these CARES grants by submitting a CARES Act emergency fund request form. The existing Student Affairs Emergency Fund Committee will review applications and notify applicants on a rolling basis. Shortly after notification, awardees will receive a check for the $750 award. 

Aid will be awarded to those who indicate they are experiencing financial hardship due to the coronavirus pandemic. Eligible expenses related to a student's cost of attending school that can be covered include food, housing, course materials, technology, health care and childcare. Priority will be given to the neediest students.

According to the federal government, to be eligible for these grants, students must be eligible for Title IV aid — they must have a FAFSA on file — and they must be enrolled in the spring 2020 semester. International students and undocumented students are not eligible for Title IV funds and therefore cannot receive this emergency aid.

Please be advised that CARES Act emergency awards are not includible in your gross income.

We recognize the tremendous financial strain the coronavirus pandemic has put on our students. We believe that distributing these funds as efficiently and expeditiously as possible is both financially important and reflective of the Catholic mission and values we hold as a University community.

Matthew Borowick
Interim Vice President, University Advancement

Shawna Cooper-Gibson, Ph.D.
Vice President, Student Services

Stephen Graham
Vice President for Finance and CFO

Alyssa McCloud, Ph.D.
Senior Vice President of Enrollment Management

Categories: Campus Life