WEST LIBERTY, W.Va., June 29, 2020 — Under Section 18004(a)(1) of the CARES Act a total of $2,246,663 was allotted to West Liberty University (WLU). On April 15, 2020, WLU signed and returned to the Department of Education the Certification and Agreement assuring that the institution will use, or intends to use, not less than 50 percent of the funds received under this Section of the CARES Act to provide Emergency Grants to students.
The total amount of funding available for emergency grants to students is $1,123,331.50 and WLU has received the full allotment of $1,123,331.50 referenced on the U.S. Department of Education’s G5 website.
As of June 29,2020, WLU has distributed a total of $252,800 in emergency grants to 746 eligible students. WLU sent to eligible students an application for funding on May 14, 2020. Funds were distributed when completed applications were returned. WLU estimates, as of June 29, 2020 that 1,594 students are eligible to receive emergency grants. Students who filed a FASFA or were eligible to do so are considered eligible to receive funding.
International students and students participating in programs which were totally online prior to March 13, 2020, are not considered eligible.
Students will receive funding based on their application. The application inquires if they incurred expenses in the following areas: food, housing, course materials, technology, healthcare, and childcare. This initial questionnaire will award up to $600 based on responses. Students were awarded $200 each for food and housing expenses if checked. For all other areas’ students were distributed $50 each if checked.
WLU intends to resend the CARES application to eligible students who did not respond to the initial request prior to July 6, 2020. After this second round of applications are processed, WLU will distribute the remaining funds.
The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act was passed by Congress with overwhelming, bipartisan support and signed into law by President Trump on March 27, 2020. This over $2 trillion economic relief package delivers on the Trump Administration’s commitment to protecting the American people from the public health and economic impacts of COVID-19.
For more information, please visit home.treasury.gov/policy-issues/cares.