The Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act

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. Students who did not receive the standard Hope CARES Grant described above can request consideration for a grant by completing the Hope CARES Grant Request Form and filing the 2019–20 FAFSA. Both the FAFSA and the CARES Grant Request Form must be submitted by June 30, 2020.

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?

Students who already received a Hope CARES Grant may submit a request for additional emergency aid if they incurred expenses that exceed the standard grant amount. They can do so by completing the Hope CARES Grant Request Form. Funding is limited and requests will be processed on a first-come, first-served basis. Request forms must be submitted by June 30, 2020.