Quinnipiac University has acquired $2,672,000 in Higher Education Emergency Relief Funds, approved by the Federal CARES Act. Students who were enrolled in the 2020 spring semester who faced financial difficulties due to COVID-19 were able to apply if they met the criteria.

On Friday, March 27, the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act was passed by congress and signed into law by President Trump. The rescue package is worth over $2 trillion and provides financial support to small and large businesses, families and individuals, hospitals and independent contractors.

All universities and colleges are being funded by the Higher Education Emergency Relief Funds. The majority of the money will be distributed to students who need it the most.

“The University will utilize no less than 50% of the funding received under Section 18004(a)(1) of the CARES Act to provide Emergency Financial Aid Grants to students,” according to the Quinnipiac University website.

Quinnipiac students who were enrolled at least half-time in a degree program and not exclusively in an online program as of Friday, March 13, 2020, filed a FAFSA (Federal Application for Federal Student Aid) and was accepted by Quinnipiac, are U.S. citizens, permanent residents or eligible non-citizens and made satisfactory academic progress based on their degree requirements, are all eligible to apply for the HEERF Student Share Grant Fund, according to an email sent by Victoria Hampton, the University Director of Financial Aid, and addressed by the Higher Education Emergency Relief Working Group.

According to the Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund working group, “Current interpretation of the guidance from the US Department of Education indicates that students who have graduated or otherwise withdrawn prior to the award date and are not continuing their studies at Quinnipiac in the Fall are not eligible to receive funds. Quinnipiac is reserving a portion of funds for otherwise eligible students in this situation for consideration if the federal rules change.”

According to the Quinnipiac website, 4,252 students are eligible to receive HEERF financial aid. Funds have not been awarded to students yet as of Wednesday, June 3.

Students who wish to apply for HEERF must fill out the application by Wednesday, July 15. All students who meet the criteria and apply by the deadline will be considered for the funds. The applications will be reviewed within three weeks from the time of the submission date.

For more information regarding financial support amid COVID-19, please visit FAQ’s and the on-going Student Care Fund page to donate or apply.