Kent State announces additional student aid through emergency grant fund, received over $19 million from CARES Act

Kent State University announced last Tuesday it is accepting applications for emergency student aid through the newly created Kent State Emergency Grant Fund. 

According to a university press release, the Emergency Grant Fund will be awarded in addition to the Pay It Flash Forward Emergency Fund, which was launched March 28 to help students affected by the coronavirus pandemic. 

Kent State is receiving more than $19 million from the CARES Act, or the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act, from the federal government. According to the Department of Education’s website, universities must target at least half of the money they receive from the Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund toward direct student aid. 

Kent State submitted an application for the institutional half of the money through the Department of Education, but the university currently only received the first portion designated for student aid, said Brenda Burke, Associate Vice President for Enrollment Management and Student Financial Aid at Kent State. 

The entire $9,653,622 reserved for students by the CARES Act was applied to the Kent State Emergency Grant Fund, Burke said.

 “It’s not being used to cover tuition or fees. It’s 100 percent to students for their emergency needs right now as a result of the pandemic,” she said. 

The money can be used for education-related expenses including: 

• On- or off-campus housing and meals
• Off-campus utility bills
• Books, supplies and other course-related materials or technology
• Emergency transportation costs or car repairs
• Unexpected medical expenses
• Unexpected child care expenses

To be considered for the funds, students need to apply using the existing emergency grant application found on FlashLine, must be enrolled for the spring 2020 semester and pursuing a degree. 

Students only need to fill out one application to be considered for both funds. If a student previously applied for the Pay It Flash Forward Emergency Fund, their application will automatically be considered for all emergency grant funding.

Kent State currently has over 4,500 applications for student aid through the emergency grant fund, and awards will be based on individual needs and circumstances. 

“It might be helpful to tell us, ‘My rent is $800 a month.’ ‘My average food bill is $200 a month.’ ‘I’m taking care of a family of four.’ ‘I have elderly parents who I’m helping out because they lost their job.’ Tell us your story so we can help understand what your needs are,” Burke said. 

Once their application is reviewed, students will be contacted by email with additional information. While the university has already dispersed some Pay It Flash Forward awards, the first awards from the CARES Act will be granted Friday. Students will receive their refunds next week. 

“I think the money is going to be spent very quickly quite honestly, based on the student needs and what the students are going through,” Burke said. 

The university is first reviewing applications for students enrolled for the spring semester, then the summer semester, and if there is still money remaining, the university will review the population of students enrolled for the fall semester. 

Academic standing, class standing, grade point average, and major are not considerations when determining aid. 

“It is strictly their application, what they write on their application, looking at the student. We look at each application individually and review it,” Burke said. “If a student needs help, I strongly encourage them to apply to reach out. Let us help you through this process.”

The Pay It Flash Forward Fund currently has a cap of $1,000. The maximum amount students can receive from CARES Act funding is $6,345, which is the maximum Federal Pell Grant award for the 2020 through 2021 award year. 

If students or their family members experienced a job loss or reduction in pay that could impact their 2020 to 2021 Financial Aid Offer, they can refer to the Student Financial Aid website or contact One Stop for Student Services at 330-672-6000 for more information. 

“We might be able to go through their application and through the appeals process and have them otherwise eligible for federal aid that they wouldn’t have been eligible for based on their original application,” Burke said. 

From a financial aid and enrollment management perspective, students will not see changes in the resources and services offered to them despite the coronavirus pandemic and budget cuts from the university, Burke said. 

“Our current funding levels are staying the same… We are going to honor the awards we have made to students. We are not going to go back in and cut financial aid funding and scholarship funding as a result,” she said. 

The deadline for confirming enrollment and scholarship offers for incoming students has been extended to June 1. The university is continuing to recruit new students and award scholarships, whether or not classes are remotely or in-person. 

“I know the faculty are talking about syllabi for classes, classroom instruction. We’re awarding financial aid. We’re setting up the orientation process for new students… We are planning for fall.” 

Further resources for assistance with food, mental health and other necessities can be found on the Office of the Dean of Students’ COVID-19 Emergency Resources page.