CARES ACT Grant and other Emergency Aid for Students Application

CARES ACT Grant and other Emergency Aid for Students Application

Tarleton State University serves a broad community of students including Stephenville, Ft. Worth, Waco, Midlothian, RELLIS, and many online with unique needs as a result of the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. In order to meet the needs of Tarleton students and their families who have been impacted by the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, Tarleton will award approximately $5.7 million in emergency grants to assist students as part of its Tarleton CARES Emergency Aid Program. These funds will be used to address financial hardship, including housing and food insecurity, medical expenses and lack of educational support and supplies (including technology). 

Tarleton students can apply for these grants via the application link on this webpage. 

Applications will be considered and processed on a first-come, first-served basis for students enrolled. Each student will be subject to meeting all the eligibility requirements of the funds available. 

A Student Enrolled for Summer 20:

Application Opens: May 18, 2020

Application Closes: August 3, 2020

Funding will be disbursed after June 1, 2020 to those students that meet all of the eligibility requirements. 

A Student Enrolled for Fall 20:

Application Opens: August 20, 2020

Application Closes: November 30, 2020

Funding will be disbursed after September 8, 2020, to those students that meets all of the eligibility requirements. FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) will be required to be on file with the Tarleton Financial Aid office prior to applications being considered for the Fall 20 term. If you have not filed a 20/21 FAFSA, please use the following link to access and complete. If you need help completing the application, please contact the financial aid office for additional guidance at finaid@tarleton.edu or 254-968-9070.

Funds Available:

CARES Act Grant

Types of Expenses Considered

• Utility bills (Internet, water, electricity, cellphone, etc.)
• Technology (software, laptop, etc.)
• School expenses (tuition, fees, books, etc.)
• Urgent medical expenses (dental, counseling, etc.)
• Housing (on campus and off-campus)
• Food insecurity
• Transportation (vehicle repair, car insurance, airfare, etc.)
• Other (daycare, etc.)

Eligibility Requirements

• US Citizen or eligible non-citizen
• Enrollment in the current term being awarded
• Application submitted with complete and correct information (student ID, Name, etc.)
• An application does not guarantee funding
• Students enrolled exclusively in online programs prior to the national emergency do not qualify
• FAFSA on file with the Tarleton Financial Aid office or eligible to file a FAFSA (Beginning with Fall 20 applications a FAFSA will be required to be on file with the Tarleton Financial Aid office).
• Must be in a degree-seeking program

Ineligible non-citizens and those students who were enrolled exclusively in an online program as of March 13, 2020 are not eligible for the CARES Act grant, but might be eligible for other funding assistance. These funds are subject to applicable taxes. Students can apply via the same application. Ineligible non-citizens are those who are neither a permanent resident of the United States nor able to provide evidence from the Immigration and Naturalization Service that they are in the United States for other than a temporary purpose with the intention of becoming a citizen or permanent resident.

Student Emergency Fund Grant

The Student Emergency Fund Grant is designed to assist students (undergraduate and graduate) exhibiting financial hardship due to a sudden change in financial status, loss of employment or other obstacle in order for them to maintain their enrollment. It is designed to enable a student to meet a short-term financial hardship and is maintained by Tarleton State University Student Affairs.

Types of Expenses Considered

• Replacement of necessary items following fire, theft or natural disaster
• Travel costs related to a death or illness of immediate family member
• Unanticipated and/or extraordinary child expenses, including, but not limited to, child-care, formula and diapers
• Medical Bills or medications
• Sudden emergency move or change in living conditions or to prevent homelessness
• Safety needs
• Car repairs and operation in excess of typical wear and tear usage issues
• Food expenses

Eligibility Requirements

• Good Standing with the University
• Enrolled in the current term in at least 6 hours at the time of application
• All other resources have been exhausted or insufficient
• May need to provide documentation to support the request
• May only be awarded one time per academic year

Award amounts will typically not exceed $500.00. Should a student require a greater amount, a team composed of trained staff familiar with financial aid and other resources available at Tarleton will evaluate the circumstances, determine if the student is eligible to receive the funds and provide additional support. Eligibility will be in part determined by a student’s current Financial Aid Status. Awards are subject to the availability of funds. Decisions regarding funding will be made on a case-by case basis and are considered final. Funds will be counted as part of a student’s financial aid package and may be subject to federal and/or state taxes. 

Regent's Grant

The Texas A&M University System (TAMUS) Regent’s Grant provides limited financial support to currently enrolled undergraduate degree-seeking Texas resident students who are unable to meet essential expenses due to unforeseen hardship. This grant will affect your financial aid package as it may not surpass your cost of attendance.

Types of Expenses

• Tuition and fees
• Books
• Lodging
• Meals

Eligibility Requirements

• Texas Resident seeking 1st Undergraduate Program
• Be in Good Academic Standing
• FAFSA Application must be submitted
• Student/Family FAFSA adjusted gross income must be between $40,000 - $100,000. In extraordinary circumstances, the university may request authorization from the Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs to award a grant to a student above or below that criterion on a case by case basis.
• Student/Family must have an unforeseen hardship. Something unforeseen is something that could not be predicted and was not expected.
• Provide documentation of hardship