Asbury CARES is a program to get federal grants to eligible students who were displaced due to COVID-19. The source of the funding is the federal government’s $2 trillion coronavirus economic stimulus bill signed into law by President Trump on March 27, 2020. A portion of the bill was designated for direct assistance to students in higher education and Asbury University is the funnel to get that money to its eligible student population.
“What’s best for students is at the center of every decision we make,” Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos said in a statement. “That’s why we prioritized getting funding out the door quickly to college students who need it most. We don’t want unmet financial needs due to the coronavirus to derail their learning.”
Here are some facts regarding student eligibility:
Asbury University has signed and returned to the Department of Education the Certification and Agreement indicating that we have used and will continue to use no less than 50 percent of the funds allocated to us under Section 18004(a)(1) of the CARES Act to provide Emergency Financial Aid Grants to students.
CARES Fund Report, 1st Quarter 2022 (PDF)
CARES Fund Report, 4th Quarter 2021 (PDF)
CARES Fund Report, 3rd Quarter 2021 (PDF)
CARES Fund Report, 2nd Quarter 2021 (PDF)
CARES Fund Report, 1st Quarter 2021 (PDF)
CARES Fund Report, 4th Quarter 2020 (PDF)
CARES Fund Report, 3rd Quarter 2020 (PDF)
HEERF Report, 2nd Quarter 2022 (original PDF), HEERF Report, 2nd Quarter 2022 (corrected PDF)
HEERF Report, 1st Quarter 2022 (PDF)
HEERF Report, 4th Quarter 2021 (PDF)
HEERF Report, 3rd Quarter 2021 (PDF)
According to the United States Department of Education (USDOE) any student eligible for Title IV Federal Aid, and not enrolled in a completely on-line program prior to March 27, 2020.
Eligible in this sense means that the student has filed the Federal FAFSA form for 19/20 and was offered Federal grants or loans. For non-FAFSA filers it means; had they filed FAFSA they would have qualified for Federal grants or loans.
According to the USDOE, International Students, DACA Students and any students enrolled in a completely on-line degree program prior to March 27, 2020 are not eligible.
No, these are emergency grants that go directly to you. However, you can choose to take this money and pay on your student account if you have a balance.
Any sort of educational expense related to being displaced by COVID-19. Examples include, but are not limited to: Tuition Costs, Housing, Food, Travel, Course Materials, Technology, Health Care and Child Care.
It was determined by Asbury University and awarded to all eligible students for 2019-20. The Federal FAFSA form was used as a guideline to create three tiers of students with accompanying cash grants:
Tier 1 - $700 - All eligible students who filed FAFSA and were awarded a Federal Pell Grant
Tier 2 - $400 - All eligible students who filed FAFSA but did not receive a Federal Pell Grant
Tier 3 - $200 - All eligible students who did not file FAFSA
You have the opportunity to fill out an application for additional assistance. You will be required to document these expenses.
The United States Treasury (IRS) has determined that Asbury CARES emergency grants will not be taxed.
Grants will be disbursed no later than the week of May 18, 2020. Asbury partners with BankMobile to deliver funds to students. If you have not signed up for direct deposit with BankMobile, your disbursement may be delayed. Please contact Asbury Student Accounts for assistance, student.accounts@asbury.edu. Once grants are disbursed, your Term Billing Summary on the Asbury portal will reflect both the grant and disbursement amounts.
The Department of Education allocated to Asbury University an amount totaling $508,559.
On 5/11/2020, Asbury disbursed a total of $463,300 to 963 eligible students. Since 5/11/2020, an additional 33 disbursements have been made totaling $23,537.
963 equals 100 percent of Asbury's eligible student population.
If you have further questions, please contact financial.aid@asbury.edu.