Cares Act Student Funding

Cares Act Student Funding

The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, passed March 27, 2020 established the Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund (HEERF) grant.  This legislation directs institutions to provide emergency financial aid grants to students for expenses related to the disruption of campus operations due to coronavirus. Eligible expenses include moving expenses, food, utilities, and technology needed to complete the spring 2020 semester.

Eligibility Criteria:

  • Must have been enrolled in on-campus courses on or after March 16, 2020;
  • Must be eligible to receive Title IV aid;
  • Must have a 2019-2020 FAFSA on file in the office of Financial Assistance at Fort Hays State University;
  • Must not have withdrawn from all classes with 100% refund;
  • Must have incurred financial expenses due to disruption of campus operations.

In accordance with Department of Education guidelines, FHSU will distribute HEERF Grants in one of two ways:

  • PELL eligible students will receive a direct grant. Awards were divided based on the amount of PELL a student was eligible to receive. Tier 1 students will receive a HEERF Grant in the amount of $803. Students in Tier 2 will receive a HEERF Grant in the amount of $649. Students in either of these groups do not need to apply for the funds and will be notified once the funds are awarded. If a student receives a grant in this way, they are not eligible to apply for the remaining funds.
  • All other eligible students are able to apply for the remaining HEERF grant funds. Students in this group must meet all the eligibility requirements outline above.  If a student does not have a FAFSA on file, they must complete a FAFSA and submit it to FHSU prior to being considered.  Students in this group will be notified that they are eligible through their FHSU email.  Awarding to this group will be on a first-come, first-served basis, and when funds are depleted awarding will cease.  The priority deadline for applications will be May 25, 2020 and the final deadline is May 31, 2020. 
Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund Application

FAQ’s

Yes, to determine eligibility for this award, the Financial Assistance Office must have a FAFSA on file.
You can apply by going to this link.
The determination made by the U.S. Department of Education is that students must have been in on campus courses that were disrupted as a result of COVID-19. As a result of this interpretation online only students are not eligible to receive these grant funds. FHSU online students may apply for university emergency grants through the FHSU Foundation application  https://www.fhsu.edu/sga/student-emergency-fund.
PELL eligible students will receive a one time disbursement of either $803 or $649 depending on the student's Expected Family Contribution.  All other eligible students awards will be based on the expenses identified and the amount of need indicated up to a maximum award of $803. Awards will be based on eligibility, the need indicated on the application, the size of the applicant pool and the availability of funds.
The funds will be added to the award items in the Financial Aid Office. These funds will then roll over to your student account and be released to you by the Valid Refund Option you selected in TigerEnroll or TigerTracks. The funds will not be applied to any outstanding charges. If No Valid Refund Option is selected, a check will be mailed to your permanent address as indicated on your student account.
Even with written permission, the funds awarded to the student cannot be applied to current or past-due charges. The use of these funds is strictly for expenses incurred due to the disruption of campus operations including, but not limited to food, technology, and transportation costs.
Yes, if you received an award from the Student Emergency Fund you are still eligible to receive the HEERF Grant.
Applications will be reviewed by a committee on a weekly basis until all funds are gone. Once application decisions have been processed in the Financial Assistance office, a notification will be sent to the student letting them know the award is available to view, or they will be notified of ineligibility. When all funds have been awarded, the application will be removed from the website.
No, HEERF awards will not affect the aid that was previously awarded. Additionally, it will not affect any future financial aid eligibility.
You can use the grant to make a payment on your account after it disburses to your banking account, but it can not be applied directly to your summer charges.

How to Reach Us

Financial Assistance Office
Picken Hall 202
Fort Hays State University
600 Park Street
Hays, KS 67601


Online Inquiry Form
Phone: 785-628-4408

Additional Contact Information and Staff Listing


Division of Student Affairs

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