CARES Act Emergency Grants
Updated Jan. 8, 2021
March 2020, Congress passed the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act to provide some relief from the economic fallout related to the COVID-19 pandemic. One element of CARES Act funding is the Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund (HEERF). The purpose of this funding is to assist students who have experienced unanticipated expenses as a result of the pandemic. The amount of HEERF funding that institutions receive is primarily based on the number of high-need students enrolled.
The Eastern Washington University Financial Aid Office has been working closely with the executive leadership at Eastern to determine how to distribute the CARES funding. While specific award amounts differ between institutions, priority is given to student populations who have the highest financial need through the financial aid application process. Funding will continue until the allocation is fully utilized.