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CARES Act Relief Funds

STUDENT RELIEF FUNDING AVAILABLE

Delaware State University is committed to making the maximum amount of relief and support available to all students affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. Currently, there are three major relief options available to students, though not all students will qualify for all three.

CARES Act Relief Funds

As a result of Congress passing and the President signing the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act, Delaware State University (DSU) has been allocated $2,782,960 in emergency student aid to assist eligible students who incurred expenses related to the disruption of campus operations due to COVID-19.

The Department of Education (ED) has provided guidance to higher education institutions regarding implementation of the provisions. Guidance from ED was key in determining how the funds would be distributed to our students. The key components of this guidance that played a factor in our decision are the following: 

  • Funds can only be awarded to students for “expenses related to the disruption of campus operations due to coronavirus, such as food, housing, course materials, technology, health care, and child-care expenses.” 
  • Students receiving these funds must meet the eligibility criteria in Section 484 of the Title IV Higher Education Act. This includes, but is not limited to, demonstration of the following:
    • Be making satisfactory academic progress(SAP);
    • Not owe an overpayment on Title IV grants or loans;
    • Not be in default on a Title IV loan;
    • File “as part of the original financial aid application process” a certification that includes statement of educational purpose and valid Social Security Number,
    • Be a U.S. citizen or national, permanent resident, or other eligible noncitizen;
    • Have returned fraudulently obtained Title IV funds if convicted of or pled guilty or no contest to charges;
    • Not have fraudulently received Title IV loans in excess of annual or aggregate limits;
    • Have repaid Title IV loan amounts in excess of annual or aggregate limits if obtained inadvertently;
    • Have Selective Service registration verified (if student is a male);
    • Not have a federal or state conviction for drug possession or sale, with certain time limitations
    • Complete a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), the only way to determine if a student meets the Section 484 requirements is for a FAFSA to be filed.

Who will receive these funds?

As a result of this guidance, the University will be awarding the emergency financial aid funds from the CARES Act to the following groups of students, and under the following conditions:

  • Group 1: Spring 2020 graduating students who are in a degree program, enrolled at least half-time, have a 2019-20 FAFSA on file with DSU, meet the Section 484 criteria, and have an Expected Family Contribution (EFC) from the FAFSA. These students will be offered a $500 award.   
  • Group 2: Spring 2020 enrolled students who are in a degree program, enrolled at least half-time, have a 2019-20 and 2020-21 FAFSA on file with DSU, meet the Section 484 criteria, and have an Expected Family Contribution (EFC) from the FAFSA less than 5,576. These students will be offered a $500 award.•    
  • Group 3: Spring 2020 enrolled students who are in a degree program, enrolled at least half-time, have a 2019-20 and 2020-21 FAFSA on file with DSU, meet the Section 484 criteria, and have an Expected Family Contribution (EFC) from the FAFSA greater than 5,576. These students will be offered a $250 award.•    
  • Group 4: Title IV eligible students meeting Section 484 of the Higher Education Act who have qualifying expenses and do not receive a $500 or $250 award offered, may submit an individual appeal for up to $250. Please check the 2019-20 financial aid section of your myDESU account to see if you have received an offer letter before submitting an appeal. Appeals may be submitted for expenses incurred in Spring 2020 or Summer 2020, as long as they are related to campus disruptions due to COVID-19.  More information on appeal process will be provided later.

Students may not receive more than the identified amount in total from CARES Act funding, Individual appeals will not be accepted for any student who received funding in Group 1 - 3.  Once all initial funding has been completed, Delaware State University will update additional funding opportunities.

DACA and/or international students are not eligible for these funds, as ED stated students enrolled in programs that are 100% on-line are ineligible to receive these funds.

Awarding will take place in four phases:

  • Group 1 - 3 Students: The Office of Financial Aid will post a CARES Act Relief Fund notification for the student in myDESU. Students will be sent an e-mail to their DSU e-mail account directing them to myDESU.  
  • Students will have the opportunity to confirm the following:
    • Decline or Accept the award.
    • Confirm incurred expenses related to the disruption of campus operations due to COVID-19
    • Provide current address
  • Students will have the opportunity to accept less than the award offered if the expenses incurred were not at that level. Reducing the award will make funds available to other students who otherwise might not receive assistance due to funding limitations.
  • The offer will remain available only for a specific period of time, which will be outlined in the e-mail notification. Confirmation not received by the deadline will result in loss of funding eligibility.
  • By accepting the offer, students are confirming they have incurred expenses related to the disruption of campus operations due to coronavirus, such as food, housing, course materials, technology, health care, and child-care expenses.” Students who have not incurred such expenses should decline the award.
  • Group 4 Students: An individual appeal option is available for all Title IV eligible students not in Group 1 - 3. You can find information about submitting a CARES Act Emergency Aid Appeal (*Coming Soon) on our website.

For additional information consult the CARES Act Relief Fund FAQ or contact Financial Aid.