WEST LIBERTY, W.Va., May 13, 2020 — West Liberty University invites its students adversely affected by the COVID-19 pandemic to apply for CARES Act emergency grants.
“I am pleased to announce we have received the federal CARES funds that make this now possible. We encourage students who have experienced economic hardships during the pandemic to apply for emergency grants through our simple process that will be further explained in an email sent to eligible students later today,” said President Stephen Greiner.
Grants may be used to cover the following expenses only:
- Housing
- Food
- Course materials
- Childcare
- Technology or other resources needed for online coursework
- Medical expenses (including support needed for accessibility purposes)
Eligibility
The CARES Act requires students who receive the grants to meet Title IV federal financial aid eligibility requirements. Students enrolled in a strictly online program prior to COVID-19 (March 13) are NOT eligible for these grants.
To be eligible for the grants, students must:
- Have filed or will file a FAFSA or is Title IV eligible
- Not be enrolled in an online program on March 13 for Spring 2020
- Have a valid social security number
- Be a U.S. citizen or eligible non-citizen (see fafsa.ed.gov/help/fotw15a.htm)
- If male, be registered for U.S. Selective Service
- Have a high school diploma or GED or have completed high school in an approved homeschool
- Making satisfactory academic progress
- Not be in default on a federal student loan
- Have been enrolled at WLU for the spring 2020 semester as an undergraduate or graduate degree-seeking student, and be enrolled in one or more classes creditable toward a degree.
Application Link and Deadline
Students who meet the qualifications will receive an application link via their student email account, which must be completed and submitted no later than May 31, 2020.
By accepting the funds, students are confirming that they incurred expenses related to the disruption of campus operations due to the coronavirus, such as food, housing, course materials, technology, health care or childcare costs. For more information on the CARES Act and Higher Education, please visit the Department of Education website.
For questions, please visit westliberty.edu/coronavirus or email COVID19@westliberty.edu.