CARES Act emergency grants for students

Federal CARES Act emergency grants are available for App State students. Allocations must be used to cover expenses related to the disruption of campus operations due to the coronavirus. Students must meet minimum Department of Education criteria to be eligible to receive CARES Act emergency grants. Learn more about eligibility and how to apply.

Federal funding from the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, provides grant assistance to the university and direct aid to students. App State’s allocation is $15,927,932.  Of that amount, 50%, or $7,963,966, will be provided directly to students in the form of Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund (HEERF) grants.

The legislation specifies HEERF grant allocations must be used to cover expenses related to the disruption of campus operations due to the coronavirus. Qualifying expenses include a student’s cost of attendance, such as:

• Food
• Housing
• Course materials
• Technology
• Relocation expenses
• Health care
• Child care
• Transportation

These funds must be paid directly to students by the university and cannot be used to refund the cost of reimbursements already paid to students by the university.

HEERF grant allocations will vary based on students’ individual situations, but our distribution plan is designed to help the most students with the greatest financial need.

Am I eligible?

Students must meet the following minimum Department of Education criteria to be eligible for a CARES Emergency Grant:

1. If you are enrolled as a degree-seeking, main campus (not online) student.
2. Meet Satisfactory Academic Progress requirements. Read about these requirements here.
3. Meet federal financial aid eligibility requirements.

Note that most students have been pre-qualified. Please read more information about this under “How can I apply?” below.

How can I apply?

To apply for CARES Act emergency grant funding, complete these three steps:

1. Apply for the Mountaineer Emergency Fund. We encourage all students in an emergency situation to apply toward this fund, which is made possible by the federal CARES Act and private giving through the Appalachian State University Foundation Inc. 
• Eligible students will be contacted by the Office of the Dean of Students.
2. Enroll in direct deposit. This step is not required, but is recommended for the fastest processing.
• Enroll, update or check your direct deposit enrollment.
• View instructions for setting up direct deposit.
• Those who do not enroll in direct deposit will receive a check mailed to their permanent address.

What is the application deadline?

There is no deadline to apply, but the funding is limited. We anticipate running out of funding so apply as soon as possible.

If I am not eligible for CARES funding but need financial assistance, what do I do?

Apply for The Mountaineer Emergency Fund, which offers assistance to students who are facing financial challenges that are significant barriers to their academic success. The Mountaineer Emergency Fund is available first-come, first-serve, and the university will use it to help as many students as funding allows. There is no deadline to apply.  

Is CARES funding part of my financial aid package?

No. This is not Financial Aid and will not count toward or be included in any financial aid package or college loans you receive.

Do I need to pay CARES funds back?

No. This is an emergency relief grant from the US Department of Education to help enrolled students cover expenses they experienced due to the campus disruption caused by COVID-19.

For questions:

General questions:
enrollment-mgmt@appstate.edu
828-262-7244

Questions about eligibility:
Office of Student Financial Aid
financialaid@appstate.edu
828-262-2190

Questions about disbursements and student accounts:
Student Accounts
studentaccounts@appstate.edu
828-262-2113

Questions about available aid and emergency assistance:
Office of the Dean of Students
dos@appstate.edu
828-262-8284