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Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act Emergency Aid

CARES Act Emergency Aid refers to funding provided to colleges and universities by the U.S. Department of Education to provide emergency aid to federal aid eligible students for expenses related to the disruption of campus operations due to the coronavirus.

It is important that you read the information below before applying for CARES Act Emergency Aid.

Eligibility Criteria:

PLEASE NOTE before you apply: ONE spring 2020 UTD CARES Act Emergency Aid application is allowable per student. Duplicate submissions will cause delays to the review and awarding process and cannot be considered in the final awarding decision. See allowable expenses below.

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Eligible Expenses

The following is a list of expenses that can be considered for CARES Act Emergency Aid if they were incurred due to the disruption of campus operations due to the coronavirus:

Restrictions

CARES Act Emergency Aid cannot be:

Amount

The maximum amount awarded will depend on your individual application submitted as well as the number of eligible applications received. Spring 2020 requests should be made based on 2-month costs (mid-March to mid-May).

Timing

Once your application has been submitted, you should anticipate a response via your UT Dallas email address within 5 business days. If additional information is needed, we will contact you via your UT Dallas email. Please be advised – duplicate submissions will increase the time it takes to review your application. Please make sure your application is complete and final before submitting it.

Documentation

If additional documentation is required to support your application, the Office of Financial Aid will contact you via your UTD email address.

Refunds

Refunds for recipients of Cares Act Emergency Aid will be issued by the Bursar Office. It is highly recommended that you be enrolled in direct deposit to expedite your refund.

Students with unanticipated expenses who are not CARES Act Emergency Aid eligible may apply for the university’s Student Emergency Financial Assistance Fund.

CARES Act Emergency Aid FAQ

Who is not eligible for CARES Act Emergency Aid?

CARES Act Emergency Aid cannot be awarded to international students, TASFA applicants, DACA students, or students enrolled in fully online programs prior to March 13, 2020. Students who do not meet the basic eligibility criteria are also not eligible. If you are not eligible for CARES Act Emergency Aid and have unanticipated financial needs, you should consider applying for assistance through the UTD Student Emergency Financial Assistance Fund.

I was not registered for classes in Spring 2020 but plan to return in the summer. Am I eligible for CARES Act Emergency Aid?

At this time, we are only awarding students who were enrolled in Spring 2020.

I was not registered for classes in Spring 2020 but plan to return in the fall. Am I eligible for CARES Act Emergency Aid?

At this time, we are only awarding students who were enrolled in Spring 2020.

How will I know if I’m approved for CARES Act Emergency Aid?

You will receive an email response to your application within 5 business days of submission. Requests for additional information, status updates, and award notices will be sent from the Office of Financial Aid to your UTD email address.

How much funding will I get from CARES Act Emergency Aid?

Emergency aid grants vary by student and are unique to each student’s expenses incurred. Please note that we cannot guarantee to fund all your expenses.

What if my emergency aid funding is not enough? Can I appeal or request additional funding?

At this time, we are not accepting appeals for additional funding however, if additional CARES Act Emergency Aid becomes available we will reevaluate previously approved applications.

How will I receive my funds if I am offered CARES Act Emergency Aid?

Refunds for recipients of CARES Act Emergency Aid will be issued by the Bursar Office. It is strongly recommended that you be enrolled in direct deposit to expedite your refund.

Will CARES Act Emergency Aid affect my other financial aid?

CARES Act Emergency Aid will not affect other financial aid awarded to you.

Are undergraduate and graduate students eligible for CARES Act Emergency Aid?

Yes, as long as they meet the federal eligibility criteria.

How many times can I apply for CARES Act Emergency Aid?

Students may only apply once for spring 2020 CARES Act Emergency Aid.

Is there a deadline for applying for CARES Act Emergency Aid?

We are reviewing applications as quickly as possible so we can meet students’ critical needs. Funding is limited, so we encourage students to apply as soon as possible.

I completed my FAFSA but was selected for verification. Do I need to submit the documents before I can receive CARES Act Emergency Aid?

There are some verification requirements related to CARES Act Emergency Aid. If we need additional information from you, we will contact you via your UTD email address. To be considered for other federal, state, and institutional financial aid, verification must be completed.

I completed a FAFSA and received unsubsidized loans only. Am I still eligible for CARES Act Emergency Aid?

You may qualify for CARES Act Emergency Aid even if you received only unsubsidized loans as long as you meet the eligibility requirements and have unanticipated expenses related to the disruption of campus operations due to coronavirus.

Do I need to report CARES Act Emergency Aid on my federal tax return?

CARES Act Emergency Aid is considered a qualified disaster relief payment under section 139 of the Internal Revenue code, and thus is excluded from income. For more information, see the Frequently Asked Questions section of the IRS Coronavirus and Economic impact Payments: Resources and Guidance webpage.


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