The Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act
The Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act was passed by Congress and signed into law to provide economic relief from COVID-19. One section of the CARES Act established the Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund, which provides colleges and universities funds for student emergency grants.
The college received $1,081,939 in Higher Education Emergency Relief Funds to go directly to students in the form of financial grants for expenses students incurred related to the disruption of campus operations due to coronavirus. Expenses include things like technology, health care, course materials, rent, food, child care, or moving fees.
Allocating funds
How is Hope College allocating the CARES Act funds?
The Department of Education encouraged institutions to distribute the CARES Act funds as widely as possible while prioritizing students with the greatest need. Hope is allocating approximately $870,000 through the Hope CARES Grant, a standard relief grant that will be provided to all eligible students. The remaining $212,000 will be available as additional support, and allocated to students through an application process.
Grant Eligibility
Who is eligible for the Hope CARES Grant?
The U.S. Department of Education has determined that only students who meet basic federal student aid eligibility criteria can be considered for CARES Act funds. To ensure this, only students who have filed a 2019–20 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) are eligible. We estimate that approximately 2,000 Hope students are eligible to receive CARES Act funds.
If Hope College received your 2019–20 FAFSA before May 12 and it was determined that you were eligible to receive federal student aid, you will receive the Hope CARES Grant automatically. Recipients were notified of their grant amount via email on Friday, May 15. The amount of a recipient’s grant is based on the Estimated Family Contribution (EFC) as computed by the FAFSA.
Distributing funds
When and how will I receive the Hope CARES Grant?
Hope CARES Grants will be processed by Business Services on Friday, May 22. Students who are already set up with an electronic funds transfer will receive the funds that way. Otherwise, a check will be mailed to the permanent home address.
No FAFSA?
I didn’t complete the 2019–20 FAFSA. However, I have incurred expenses related to COVID-19. Can I apply for the Hope CARES Grant?
Under U.S. Department of Education rules for the program, students who are not eligible for federal financial aid are not eligible for CARES grants. The deadline for submitting the application form for CARES Act emergency grants was June 30, 2020. If you have questions, please contact busofc@hope.edu.
Applying for additional funds
I received the Hope CARES Grant, but I have incurred expenses above the grant amount. Can I apply for additional funds?
The deadline for submitting the form for CARES Act emergency grants was June 30, 2020. If you have questions, please contact busofc@hope.edu.
BUSINESS SERVICES
Anderson-Werkman Center100 East 8th StreetSuite 280Holland, MI 49423
P. 616.395.7810
COVID-19 Response Team Steering Committee
Submit questions about Hope's preparation for COVID-19 to campushealth@hope.edu
How We've used CARES Act Funds so far
Hope College signed and returned to the Department of Education the Certification and Agreement for CARES Act funds.
Hope College has distributed $928,510.28 of Emergency Financial Aid Grants to students under Section 18004(a)(1) of the CARES Act as of September 30, 2020.
2,095 students have received an Emergency Financial Aid Grant under Section 18004(a)(1) of the CARES Act.
Hope College used FAFSA data to determine which students received the grants and Estimated Family Contribution data to determine the amount of the grants. An institutional application was also made available for additional requests.