Emergency Grants

The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act was passed by Congress and signed into law on March 27, 2020. This law created the Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund (HEERF) to provide funds to institutions for emergency financial aid grants to students whose lives have been disrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Eastern Washington University was allocated $4.94 million to provide emergency grants to students for expenses related to the disruption of campus operations due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Funds are intended to help with expenses such as food, housing, course materials, technology, healthcare, and childcare. Eastern Washington University’s allocation was determined by the U.S. Department of Education based on the number of Pell Grant-eligible students enrolled on campus (70% of the weight) and the overall enrollment (30% of the weight). Given the weighting, it is clear that Congress intended the funds to go to students with the highest financial need.

There are four general eligibility criteria for these funds:

1. Students must be fully admitted and currently enrolled in the fall 2020 quarter or semester;
2. Students must be eligible to receive federal financial aid; and
3. Students must not be enrolled in a completely online program as of March 13, 2020.
4. Students must demonstrate impact due to COVID-19.

Eligible students include undergraduate, post-baccalaureate, and graduate students.

Possibly. The university is looking for ways to assist as many currently enrolled students during this pandemic as possible.

Students who are not eligible to file a federal financial aid application (FAFSA) but who are eligible to file a Washington Application for Student Financial Aid (WASFA) may receive funding from institutional money.

International students who are not fully funded by their home country and students in fully online programs may also apply for EWU Emergency Grants. The application is available on the EWU COVID student information website.

If you or a supporting parent or spouse has lost a job and you are attending next fall, you can submit a request for a review of your overall financial aid eligibility.

For those who did not receive an award spring or summer but meet the other eligibility requirements and have extenuating circumstances due to COVID-19, consult with the Financial Aid Office for an application. Consideration will also be by application through Financial Aid.

Yes. It is important to note that the majority of our allocation was based on the number of Pell Grant-eligible students currently enrolled at the university. Those students who show the highest financial need as determined through the FAFSA formula will receive the largest amounts.

It is too late to file a FAFSA to be eligible for the spring or summer CARES Emergency Grant funds. But, you may still submit a 2020-21 FAFSA if you wish to apply for a fall grant.

The approved amount will be on your EWU student account and under the financial aid award tab. You will also receive an email notification when the award is made.

Grant amounts vary by student based on the results of the FAFSA. Award amounts range from $500-$1,000 for those eligible.

The amount of HEERF funding that institutions received varied based on the Department of Education’s allocation formula.

In most cases, the CARES Emergency Grant is a one-time award. If you receive a spring amount, you will likely not be eligible for a summer or fall amount. This is to ensure that funds are available for as many eligible students as possible.

Yes. If you are eligible for the CARES Emergency Grant, you will receive the money even if you have a current balance with the university.

Priority is given to full-time students. Undergraduate students are normally considered full-time at 12 credits, but for purposes of CARES funding, we are considering 10 credits as full-time. Graduate students are considered full-time if they are currently enrolled in 8 or more credits.

Money will be paid directly to you through direct deposit or via a check mailed to the current mailing address on your student account.

The grant can be used for unanticipated expenses related to the COVID-19 pandemic and university shut-down. Some examples include food, housing, course materials, technology, healthcare, and childcare.

We understand that many students and families are experiencing extreme financial distress right now. The CARES Emergency Grants are meant to supplement your financial needs. We know that for many of you, the grants are not enough.

If you continue to experience financial distress, please reach out to the EWU Financial Aid Office at 509.359.2314 or the EWU Student Care Team at 509.359.7924 for consideration for additional resources.

For basic questions about your eligibility for the CARES Emergency Grants, you can call the Financial Aid Office at 509.359.2314 or email finaid@ewu.edu.