At 11:59 p.m. October 31, the COVID-19 CARE Act Award application will be temporarily closed so we can finish reviewing applications from the fall semester and prepare for our spring application. It will reopen on Monday, December 14, at midnight for students enrolled in spring courses. We know this pandemic is causing financial hardship for our students and we are working to support you in every way possible.
Administrators, staff, and faculty at the University of North Texas are deeply committed to our students and understand the impact COVID-19 has had on them financially. Through a combination of university, donor, and federal funds from the CARES Act, we are offering the COVID-19 Student Success Award and providing financial assistance to students for education-related expenses due to the disruption caused by this virus. These funds can help a student cover:
- Food
- Housing
- Course Materials
- Technology
- Health Care
- Child Care
- Other Expenses Related to the Educational Experience
Who is eligible to apply?
All current students are eligible to apply. International, dual credit, non-U.S.-citizen students, and students enrolled exclusively in online courses before March 13, 2020, are not eligible for CARES Act funding. We will seek to utilize university funds to assist these students, while funds remain available.
To help support our students, all proceeds from the purchase of a student-designed Scrappy Mask will benefit the UNT COVID-19 Student Success Fund, which helps remove barriers for students who might have had an unforeseen circumstance disrupt their journey in college due to COVID-19. We are encouraging alumni, faculty, and staff to purchase these masks to support students who are not eligible for CARE Act funds.
How do I apply?
Funds can be requested here. Applications will be reviewed on a first-come, first-served basis as long as funds remain available.
If we find a student is not eligible for CARES Act funding, we will automatically try to utilize university funds to support the student. There is nothing further the student must do after applying.
How much will I receive?
Awards will vary. We are seeking to stretch our funding as far as possible.
Can I apply more than once?
Students can apply more than once and their application will be reviewed on a first-come, first-served basis. Prior awards may be taken into consideration when awarding again. Keep in mind a student must be currently enrolled to receive funds.
When will I hear if I am awarded?
We are reviewing applications daily and hope to notify students of their awards in a timely fashion. The source of funds we are utilizing for the award (CARES Act or university funds) may dictate the length of time it takes to notify students. Those awards utilizing university funds may take longer to notify as we are continually seeking additional funds to support our students.
How will I receive my award?
If your award is from the CARES Act funding, it will be applied to your account as a stipend and come directly to you based on your refund preference. It will not consider any other financial aid you have received this academic year.
If your award is from university funds, it will be applied to your tuition and fee account. If you have an unpaid balance to the university, funds will have to go toward that first. Anything remaining will be refunded to you based on your refund preference.
I am a student who received an emergency financial aid grant under section 3504, 18004, or 18008 of the CARES Act for unexpected expenses, unmet financial need, or expenses related to the disruption of campus operations on account of the COVID-19 pandemic. Is this grant includible in my gross income?
No. Emergency financial aid grants under the CARES Act for unexpected expenses, unmet financial need, or expenses related to the disruption of campus operations on account of the COVID-19 pandemic, such as unexpected expenses for food, housing, course materials, technology, health care, or childcare, are qualified disaster relief payments under section 139 of the Internal Revenue Code. This grant is not included in your gross income.
I received an emergency financial aid grant under the CARES Act and used some of it to pay for course materials that are now required for online learning because my college or university campus is closed. Can I claim a tuition and fees deduction for the cost of these materials, or treat the cost of these materials as a qualifying education expense for purposes of claiming the American Opportunity Credit or the Lifetime Learning Credit?
No. Because the emergency financial aid grant is not included in your gross income, you cannot claim any deduction or credit for expenses paid with the grant including the tuition and fees deduction, the American Opportunity Credit, or the Lifetime Learning Credit. See section 139(h) of the Internal Revenue Code.
Questions?
If you have questions about the COVID-19 Student Success Award, please e-mail studentsuccessaward@unt.edu.