MORGANTOWN, W.Va. – The U.S. Department of Education has provided additional guidance to West Virginia University regarding emergency financial assistance CARES Act grants for students.
First, students must be eligible for Title IV aid to qualify for the CARES Act grants. Additionally, students enrolled in exclusively online programs before the COVID-19 closure are not eligible.
Students are to submit a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) for the 2019-2020 academic in order to determine eligibility for emergency assistance.
The 2019-2020 FAFSA can still be completed at the Federal Student Aid website or by downloading the myStudentAid app via the Apple App Store or Google Play.
Information provided on your FAFSA will determine eligibility. In order to be eligible, students must:
- Have a Social Security number
- Be an eligible citizen or eligible non-citizen
- Be registered with Selective Service (if born male)
- Not be in default on a prior student loan or owe a grant overpayment
- Not have a state or federal conviction of possessing or selling drugs where the date of the conviction occurred during a period of enrollment for which the student was receiving any title IV grant, loan, or work assistance.
- Be enrolled at least half-time (less than half-time Pell eligible students may still be considered)
- Be making Satisfactory Academic Progress
- Be a regular, degree-seeking student
Additionally, students who received additional assistance from the University and/or a reduction in charges for spring for their residence hall room, dining plan, or University apartment April rent are now eligible to apply for the additional emergency financial assistance grants. Please note that due to limited financial resources and volume of need, some applications may not be approved. Students who withdrew from the Spring semester before March 13 are not eligible.
As previously announced, students that meet the eligibility requirements provided by the U.S. Department of Education may be awarded emergency financial assistance cash grant of up to $750 for the Spring 2020 semester to assist with need due to COVID-19’s disruption to campus. Given recent guidance, the University has made the decision that students who are eligible for the Pell Grant may receive up to $1,000 for the Spring 2020 semester.
Questions about the emergency grants can be directed to [email protected]. If assistance is needed to complete the FAFSA, please submit an online ticket to the Mountaineer Hub or call 304-293-1988.
WVU will provide updates to students as they become available.
The CARES Act Emergency Grant application process remains open.