Enrollment Services

CARES Act Fund FAQs

What is the CARES Act Fund Emergency Fund?

The CARES Act—the federal stimulus package providing financial relief as a result of campus disruption due to the coronavirus pandemic—has made stimulus funding available to Saint Peter’s University students. Saint Peter’s University has received $1,957,293; 65% is to be distributed directly to students who automatically qualify and 35% of the fund to be dispersed by student application through the Saint Peter’s University CARES Act Emergency Fund Application.

How are grant amounts determined and awarded?

Pursuant to federal regulations that institutions have “discretion to determine the amount of each individual emergency financial aid grant consistent with all applicable laws including non-discrimination laws,” Saint Peter’s University has developed a hybrid approach to granting assistance in multiple phases.

Phase I: The University will automatically disburse 60% of the CARES Act grants; awards range between $350 and $1000 based on eligibility requirements associated with enrollment at the time of the disruption. These requirements include:

  • Full-time undergraduate status enrolled in an on-ground program
  • Pell eligibility
  • Resident v. Commuter status
  • Confirmed FAFSA filer for spring 2020
  • Calculation of pro-rated unexpected expenses based on the university’s non-tuition cost of attendance during the semester disruption including but not limited to: food, housing, moving expenses, technology (i.e. internet, hardware, software), child care, medical expenses, and supplies, and miscellaneous expenses.

Grants will be disbursed by check, mailed to the address that is currently associated with your student record. Students will receive a personalized email indicating the amount of their grant within the next 3-5 business days. Students with questions about their grant amount after Friday, May 22nd may email studentaccounts@saintpeters.edu for more information. Students who wish to update their mailing address may do so by Friday, May 22, 2020. Students may update mailing addresses directly through SPIRIT On-line. DEADLINE to update a preferred mailing address is 11:59 pm Friday, May 22, 2020.

Phase II: Approximately 35% of relief funding has been set aside in order for the University to consider students’ appeals for assistance who did not meet the criteria for automatic distribution. This may include students from any undergraduate or graduate degree program, but who are also eligible for Title IV funds. Also, students awarded funding from Phase I may apply for additional funding through the Phase II fund if they feel more relief is necessary given their individual circumstances.

The application process is designed to allow individuals to appeal for funds and further substantiate their need for assistance by providing documentation of need during these difficult times. The documentation may include a written appeal explaining your circumstances and may in some cases require copies of expenses (i.e. bills) to lend support to your request.

Any student may apply for assistance using the fund but students must meet the following basic requirements:

  • Students applying for additional assistance through the emergency application process must file a FAFSA, or certify they are eligible to file a FAFSA, and would be qualified to participate in programs under Section 484 of the HEA including, but not limited to:
    • U.S. Citizen or eligible non-citizen
    • A valid Social Security number
    • Registration with Selective Service (if the student is male)
  • And hold a high school diploma, GED or completion of approved homeschool setting

Students who meet the basic eligibility must utilize the Saint Peter’s University CARES Act Emergency Funding Application to request financial assistance. The application process is designed to allow individuals to appeal for funds and further substantiate their need for assistance by providing documentation of need during these difficult times. The documentation may include a written appeal explaining your circumstances and may in some cases require copies of expenses (i.e. bills) to lend support to your request.

Once the form is completed and submitted a committee will review the appeal for assistance. Students may request grants ranging from $100-$1000; any request above $500 may require documentation of need.
Funds in Phase II are limited. Application deadline is June 30, 2020.

Phase III

Approximately 5% of the relief funds will be disbursed to students who study in the summer terms at Saint Peter’s University and continue to experience expenses related to the disruption of campus operations due to the coronavirus, Phase III will provide emergency grants ranging $100-$300 to support students who are enrolled in 3 or more credits of summer study. These grants will be administered following the last date to withdraw for the term.

How can I find out how much my grant award will be?

Students receiving assistance through Phase I will receive a personalized email to their Saint Peter’s University email account that provides information about their grant amount; the email should be received 3-5 business days after the general email notification about CARES Act funds has been released. Students with questions about their grant amount after Friday, May 22nd may email studentaccounts@saintpeters.edu for more information.

Students who do not receive an email may reach out to studentaccounts@saintpeters.edu to inquire.

Students who apply for funding through Phase II will receive an email notification after their application has been processed and reviewed for funding. Determination of award funding is expected to take 3-5 business days from date of submission.

Notification regarding Phase III will be sent following last day to withdraw from the summer term the students is registered to study.

What if I don’t qualify for Phase I, II or III funding?

Students who do not qualify for any of the phase of funding are encouraged to reach out to Student Life and Development to seek alternate emergency funding options.

If I have additional questions, who do I contact?

Students should continue to check this page for information updates. If questions are not answered through the FAQ, students may also contact Caresfund@saintpeters.edu for assistance.