Students Set to Receive $300 Each From LMU’s CARES Act Grant

Students Set to Receive $300 Each From LMU’s CARES Act Grant

By Christina Martinez

The University announced on Tuesday that all qualifying undergraduate students will receive $300 each from their CARES Act grant. 

LMU is one of several universities nationwide receiving funding as a result of Congress’s passing of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act. According to a report by the Department of Education, each university to receive funding is required to allocate half of their grant to emergency student financial aid. 

LMU is set to receive $4.7 million, meaning that about $2.3 million must be used for student aid.

In their latest university-wide email, LMU announced that they will begin distributing checks to students as soon as next week. 

Here’s what you need to know:

Who is eligible?

Recipients must be U.S. citizens or non-citizens with a Social Security number who have not defaulted on a federal loan or owe money on a federal grant. 

According to the FAQ page, “The U.S. Department of Education does not allow these federal funds to be used for international students, undocumented students, non-matriculated students, or students who were enrolled exclusively in online distance learning degree programs prior to March 13, 2020.”

Students must have been enrolled in at least six units during the spring semester. 

Males aged 18 to 25 must be registered with Selective Service.

Students who are ineligible for funding are encouraged to request assistance through the Lion Emergency Fund for a maximum, one-time grant of $500. To file a request, students must email the Dean of Students with details of their financial need.

How much money will I get?

Eligible undergraduate LMU students who completed the 2019-2020 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) before May 8 will receive a check for $300 starting next week. 

Students will receive an email to their Lion mail with directions on how to access their funds.

What if I need more aid?

Students may submit a CARES Act Emergency Relief Grant Application to request further aid to cover any COVID-19 related expenses such as food, housing, or utilities. Students may also request funds to cover costs related to online learning, childcare, transportation costs, and medical expenses.

Students may only apply for personal expenses and not that of their family members and may need to provide receipts to prove their need.

Applications must be submitted by June 30 and are reviewed in the order they are received. 

If the pandemic has affected a student and their family’s entire economic circumstances, it is suggested that they look into submitting the 2020-21 Appeal and Special Circumstance Form. These appeals can be made for unforeseen hardships, such as reductions of income and unexpected expenses that affect the ability to pay tuition.

For more information on the CARES Act funding, students are encouraged to email the Financial Aid office or consult the University’s FAQ page for more details.