Rhodes has received federal funding from the CARES Act, which provides assistance for student expenses related to the disruption of campus operations due to coronavirus. Students can request funds in these categories:
- Food
- Housing
- Course Materials
- Technology
- Health Care
- Childcare expenses
- Other Expenses (Expenses that do not fit any of the above)
FAQs
Am I eligible?
You may be eligible for CARES Act funding if you are a degree-seeking student enrolled and attending classes on or after March 18th , 2020 of the Spring 2020 Semester
International, dual credit, non-U.S.-citizen, non-degree-seeking students, and students enrolled exclusively in online courses prior to March 18, 2020 are not eligible for CARES Act funding.
How do I apply?
You can request funds for the remainder of the 2020 spring semester – April and May. After your application is received, we will contact you within 7 days at your Rhodes email address to either notify you of your application approval or ask for more information. New grant applications can be submitted in June and July for expenses related to Summer I and II enrollment.
What is the CARES Act?
The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act is federal legislation that provides a variety of financial support to individuals and organizations affected by the COVID-19 (novel coronavirus) pandemic.
The CARES Act includes a Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund (HEERF) that provides more than $14 billion in emergency funding to higher education. Of those funds, more than $6 billion must go directly to students in the form of emergency financial aid grants (HEERF-student share) for expenses related to the disruption of campus operations due to the COVID-19 crisis.
Rhodes College will receive a just over $600,000 to provide directly to students for their expenses related to the disruption of campus operations due to coronavirus, such as food, housing, course materials, technology, health care, and child-care.
How much will I receive?
We are committed to assisting all eligible students that may have been impacted by the coronavirus pandemic to the greatest extent possible with the CARES Act funds available. You should request funds based on your actual financial need for expenses related to the disruption of campus operations due to coronavirus, such as food, housing, course materials, technology, health care, and child-care, for the time period of the emergency. The actual amount each student will receive is based on the number of applications received and the funds available.
How will I receive this money?
Emergency grants funded through CARES will be processed by direct deposit or check. We strongly encourage you to opt to receive your refund via direct deposit. Direct deposit will result in more efficient processing and enable you to receive your money sooner than getting a check in the mail. In light of the current health crisis, direct deposit has the benefit of eliminating paper handling through postal system channels. If you choose to receive a check, it must be mailed; picking up a check at Rhodes Express is not an option.
Do I need to repay the money?
No, you will not need to repay any money received through this fund
Does this funding affect my other financial aid?
No. This is an emergency grant to help you manage unexpected expenses related to the coronavirus, and it will not have any impact on other financial aid you may be eligible to receive.
What if I still have an account balance?
Any CARES Act funding awarded to you will be paid to you directly, and it will not cover any outstanding balances owed to Rhodes. Any outstanding balance owed to Rhodes will remain the responsibility of the student.
Are the Emergency Grants taxable?
Emergency funds disbursed through CARES is not considered taxable income. More information is available from the IRS.