Students can apply for federal relief funds starting May 6

Rowan University is committed to providing financial aid to students in need, and all the more during the crisis created by the COVID-19 pandemic. The most immediate source of aid is federal funding, which begins with the recently passed Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act.

Starting May 6, 2020, students will be able to apply for assistance by completing the CARES Act Student Emergency Assistance Form posted on Office of the Bursar’s website. All requests for assistance will be processed on a first-come, first-served basis until all the funds are disbursed.

Distribution of Grants
The maximum emergency assistance grant will be $2,000 per student. A team of professionals from the Bursar’s and Financial Aid offices will review requests.  Funds will be disbursed to students through direct deposit to personal accounts on record or through a check mailed to the address on record. It can take up to three weeks from the date of each student’s submission to receive payment.

Process and Evaluation
In alignment with federal recommendations, Rowan has developed a point system to help evaluate who is in most need and help determine how to distribute the funds based on a rubric that measures six components of award. Students will self-disclose their “need” by answering a series of questions. The point system allows for 100 maximum points based on the following categories:

• Financial Aid Classification
• Food Insecurity
• Housing Security
• Childcare
• Health Care
• Course Material/Technology

Eligibility
As per the federal requirements, all currently enrolled students who are U.S. citizens or eligible non-citizen with a valid social security number are eligible for the Higher Education Emergency Relief funding under the CARES Act. Students enrolled exclusively in an online program on or before March 13, 2020, are not eligible for this funding. International, undocumented, and DACA students are ineligible, as well as students who are in a SAP (satisfactory academic progress) denied status, students who have not registered for Selective Service (male only), and/or students who have defaulted on federal student loans. Additionally, Rowan University employees (except those hired as student workers) are also ineligible. 

Questions on the Student Emergency Assistance Form
To make the application process as quick and as simple as possible, below are the core questions that are listed on the Student Emergency Assistance Form, which will be used to identify a student’s level of need. Please review them before applying.

1. Do you receive federal and/or state financial aid?

• Yes, I receive Pell, TAG (Tuition Aid Grant), SEOG (Supplemental Education Opportunity Grant), EOF (Equal Opportunity Fund) and/or Federal Work Study.
• Yes, I receive Federal Direct Subsidized/Unsubsidized Loans, and/or had a campus job where I was not paid through Federal Work Study.
• I receive all of the above.
• No, I do not receive any federal and/or state financial aid.

2. Which option describes your level of food insecurity:

• I have the financial resources to acquire adequate food.
• I am food insecure and have limited financial means to purchase food on my own.

3. Which option describes your level of housing insecurity:

• I am currently homeless and/or sleep in a shelter.
• I have a temporary place to stay, but it is not a stable arrangement for the long term.
• I have a stable place to live but I/we are unable to pay the rent/mortgage. 
• Housing is not an issue for me.

4. Which option describes your level of childcare needs:

• I have child(ren) for which I provide financial support, and I am now paying for their childcare as a result of local school closures.
• I have a child(ren) for which I provide financial support, and I am currently unable to provide adequate financial support.
• I have child(ren) but providing financial support and/or childcare is not an issue for me.
• I do not have child(ren).

5. Which option describes your level of healthcare needs:

• I have no additional expenses related to healthcare.
• I have lost, or my parents have lost, healthcare insurance due to unemployment and/or have incurred other healthcare costs.
• My (our) overall healthcare costs have increased, I (we) are paying COBRA and/or have purchased a health insurance plan. 

6. Which option describes your level of course material/technology needs:

• I have had to purchase a laptop, personal computer, printer or other hardware for my education as it relates to my classes moving online for the spring semester.
• I have had to purchase books or supplies for my education as it relates to classes moving online for the spring semester.
• I have no new additional expenses related to course material and/technology.

We are committed to helping you make the most of the investment you have already made in your education. We encourage you to take advantage of the support available to you as soon as possible.

If you have questions or need assistance, please contact our staff:

Office of Financial Aid by e-mail at financialaid@rowan.edu or by way of chat at www.rowan.edu/financialaid

Office of the Bursar by e-mail at bursar@rowan.edu or by way of chat at www.rowan.edu/bursar

Sincerely,

Leonardo T. Freyre
Director for Business Affairs & University Bursar

Pamela D. Gordy
Director of Financial Aid