WSU Awards CARES Act Funds to Students in Need

OGDEN, Utah – Weber State University has begun awarding $5,857,113 in federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act Funding. As of May 24, a total of $930,483 had already been distributed to 2,633 students.

“We continue to stand with you as we navigate this unprecedented health challenge together,” said President Brad Mortensen. “We are doing everything possible to help students in the path forward to continuing their education at Weber State, knowing an education is even more important in uncertain times.”

Although CARES Act funding is limited and cannot meet every expectation or request, the university seeks to distribute the money as widely and thoughtfully as possible to benefit the greatest number of students who suffered eligible expenses under the CARES Act. The funding will provide financial support based on anticipated student need. The university will factor whether the student was enrolled during a time of campus disruption, current enrollment status, and their FAFSA information. Online students are ineligible for CARES funding.

Students can register for FAFSA at this link https://studentaid.gov/h/apply-for-aid/fafsa.

As outlined by the Department of Education, the money should be used to address unexpected expenses related to disruptions of campus operations due to coronavirus, such as food, housing, healthcare, technology, course materials and childcare. 

FAFSA-eligible students may also apply for some emergency CARES funding if they incurred expenses due to campus disruption during spring semester. Students who do not qualify for FAFSA may apply for emergency funds provided to the university through the generosity of private donors. 

Information about how to apply for emergency funding from the CARES Act and private funding is available at this link weber.edu/FinancialAid/cares-act-faq.html. Students can submit their request from that page.

Students can find additional resources to get help with essentials such as housing and food along with resources for applying for unemployment and food stamps at this link weber.edu/student-access-success/help.html.

Visit weber.edu/wsutoday for more news about Weber State University.

Author:

Allison Barlow Hess, Public Relations director
801-626-7948 • ahess@weber.edu

Contact:

Allison Barlow Hess, Public Relations director
801-626-7948 • ahess@weber.edu