CARES Act - Part 2

Beginning August 13, 2020, students were able to again apply for assistance by completing the CARES Act Emergency Assistance Form.  All requests for assistance submitted by the August 28, 2020 deadline were processed on a first-come, first-served basis until all allocated funds were disbursed. 

Emergency Financial Aid Grants Awarded

As of November 24, 2020, there were 5,987 awards made amounting to $3,609,908.00.  At that time, Rowan University had approximately 14,000 students that were eligible to apply for assistance.


Distribution of Grants

The maximum emergency assistance grant was $2,000 per student. A team of professionals from the Offices of the Bursar and Financial Aid reviewed requests.  Funds were disbursed to students through direct deposit to personal accounts on record or through a check mailed to the address on record.  

Process and Evaluation

In alignment with federal recommendations, Rowan utilized a point system to help evaluate who was in most need and helped determine how to distribute the funds based on a rubric that measures six (6) components of award.  Students self-disclosed their “need” by answering a series of questions.  The point system allows for 100 maximum points based on the following categories:

• Employment/Internships
• Food Insecurity
• Housing Security
• Childcare
• Healthcare
• Course Material/Technology
  
  

Eligibility

As per the federal requirements, all enrolled students at that time who are U.S. citizens or eligible non-citizens with a valid Social Security number were eligible for the Higher Education Emergency Relief funding under the CARES Act.  At that point in time, funding from the CARES Act was limited to those eligible students who were registered for Fall 2020.  Students who were enrolled exclusively in an online program were not eligible for this funding.  International, undocumented, and DACA students were ineligible, as were students who were in a SAP (Satisfactory Academic Progress) denied status, students who had not registered for Selective Service (male only), and/or students who had defaulted on federal student loans.  Additionally, Rowan University employees (except those hired as student workers) were also ineligible.  

We are committed to helping you make the most of the investment you are making in your education. We encourage you to take advantage of the support available to you as soon as possible.

If you have questions or need assistance, please contact the Office of the Bursar by e-mail at bursar@rowan.edu.  

Sincerely,

Dr. Leonardo T. Freyre

Director for Business Affairs & University Bursar