President Davies announces CARES Act funding for students
Central Michigan University is receiving approximately $14 million in funding through the CARES Act and half of the funds will go back to students.
In an email on Thursday, April 30, President Bob Davies outlined the university’s plan to distribute the funding.
"The first half of these funds will be provided to students who have experienced financial challenges during the crisis," Davies said in the email.
The funds can help students with expenses caused by the disruption of campus operations in response to coronavirus, according to the email.
"Main campus undergraduate students who were registered in the spring 2020 semester; who qualify for financial aid; and whose cost-of-attendance is greater than the Expected Family Contribution determined by their FAFSA — Free Application for Federal Student Aid — will receive $500 through an undergraduate need-based student grant," Davies said in the email.
The email states that students do not need to apply for the grant and that "most" eligible students will receive the funds through their chosen refund preference by Friday, May 15.
In addition, a portion of the funds will go to a CMU Cares Student Assistance Fund that will be available for main campus undergraduate students that have completed a FAFSA.
"Students may apply for assistance beginning May 18, and grants will be awarded based on individual need," Davies said in the email. "Funds will be distributed weekly beginning May 27."
According to the email, a link for an application form for the CMU Cares Student Assistance Fund will be sent out by May 18.
"The second half the CARES Act funds may be used to offset costs incurred by the university due to the COVID-19 crisis," Davies said in the email. "To date, we have not received a timeline from the federal government to know when we will receive these funds, and we await clear guidance as to how those funds may be used."
Any questions about the CARES Act funds can be emailed to cmucaresact@cmich.edu.
