Graduate Refunds + CARES Act
From the Office of the President, May 7, 2020
Dear Stephens Students,
As our spring semester draws to a close, I want to thank and congratulate you for your resilience, patience and willingness to do whatever has been required to continue your education. Your faculty speak with such pride and respect about your self-discipline, energy and determination to stay connected — to them, to the College and to each other.
When you departed campus in mid-March, I assured you that the College would do everything possible to support and encourage you during these difficult times. We didn’t anticipate then the extent of our nation’s losses — in human life, in economic stability, and in personal autonomy. But we remain the community we have always been — working through this together. And we have been doing all we can to continue to educate and serve you, and to prioritize your well-being over all other considerations.
That’s why I’m so glad to inform you that we’re going to be providing you some financial assistance in the coming weeks.
Direct payments to students. Stephens College is the recipient of federal funds through the CARES Act. These funds are intended to provide support to students who suffered disruption on campus during the COVID-19 pandemic. Each institution is allowed to determine how best to make these resources available to students.
Stephens will distribute about $167,000 in direct grants to all eligible students; that includes all undergraduate students who attended classes on campus as well as graduate students in our Master in Education in Counseling and Master of Physician Assistant Studies programs.
Student Emergency Relief Fund. Stephens will distribute the remaining $167,000 in CARES Act funds through a Student Emergency Relief Fund that will respond to financial challenges directly resulting from COVID-19. Eligible students will be able to apply for these funds beginning later this summer; we expect the Fund will continue to be available to provide support to students well into the fall semester. More details on the Fund and the application process will be sent to you by July 1.
So, what do you need to do?
FIRST, you need to carefully read the FAQ below; it explains the details and responds to the questions we think some of you may have. If you still need more information after you’ve read it, please contact me at [email protected]. (Please do note that we can’t be more specific about timing; distribution of the CARES Act funding depends upon when the federal government makes it available to us.)
SECOND, you need to provide your current contact information and mailing address (so we’re sending checks to the right places!).
We continue to pursue all possible opportunities to bring even greater resources and relief to you as we work to support and assist you through this crisis. We want you back on campus as soon as possible — as a continuing student, or for your Commencement!
Sincerely,
CARES Act Grants FAQs
- Who will receive a CARES Act grant?
All eligible students whose education was disrupted on the Stephens College campus because of COVID-19 may receive a CARES Act grant. To be eligible, students must meet several federal requirements that are established under Title IV of the Higher Education Act.
A student’s eligibility will be determined by the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Students who have already completed the FAFSA need not do it again. For students who have not yet completed a FAFSA, apply now. - Does that include graduate students?
Yes, it includes graduate students who study on the campus. - What do I need to do to apply?
You don’t need to apply for this cash grant, which all eligible students will receive. You do need to provide your current mailing address and contact information.
The College will establish a Student Emergency Relief Fund later this summer that will be available through the fall to provide support to students with challenges directly related to COVID-19. Students will need to apply for these funds. See FAQ #6 below. - How can I use my grant payment?
The College will send you a check, and you are free to spend it on any expense associated with the disruption to your education caused by COVID-19. - When will I receive my grant payment?
The College will file its acceptance of the grant funding and it may take several weeks to receive it. Once it’s been transferred, the College will move as quickly as possible to distribute the funds — but again, students who have not updated their contact information will not receive their checks until they do so (we are trying to avoid lengthy delays caused by incorrect summer addresses and contact information).
Update your contact information > - How do I apply for additional Student Emergency Relief Fund resources?
The College is still developing the process by which students will be able to access additional Emergency Relief Fund resources. Under the CARES Act, the College has a full year to disburse those funds to students, so it will establish some policies to ensure that the greatest number of students has access to this important support. Students will be asked to submit a simple application describing their needs (associated with COVID-19) and a committee of three faculty and staff will be responsible for making the grants. More details will be available in the coming weeks. - What should I do if I have more questions?
Send them to [email protected], and I will be in touch!