Pictured Above: The money comes from a $900 billion stimulus package enacted by Congress in December – with more aid on the way under the $1.9 trillion stimulus that President Joe Biden signed today.
Courtesy of Tara Zimmerman
By Nancy McCann
Starting this week, USF will begin disbursing another $17.4 million in pandemic emergency financial aid to its most needy students.
The disbursements, which will be spread out over the spring, summer and fall semesters, is coming from the $900 billion stimulus package that Congress approved in December, Provost Ralph Wilcox told the USF Faculty Senate on Wednesday.
An even bigger pot of money for USF student financial aid – about $50 million – was included in the $1.9 trillion stimulus package that was approved by Congress last week, he said.
That money will be disbursed to students this summer and fall and during the spring 2022 semester, Wilcox said.
Since the COVID-19 pandemic began a year ago, Congress has enacted three stimulus packages.
The first, called the CARES Act, cost $2.2 trillion, including $35 million for USF, with $17.4 million for student aid.
The second, $900 billion stimulus package was approved in December, with “another $17.4 million in emergency financial aid grants to most needy students” at USF, Wilcox said.
The third package, dubbed the American Rescue Plan by President Joe Biden and congressional Democrats, was approved by Congress last week. Biden signed it March 11.
Billie Jo Hamilton, USF’s associate vice president of enrollment planning and management, said starting March 15, students will be sent notifications of their eligibility for funds from the $900 billion stimulus package via their USF email.
Hamilton said “degree seeking students enrolled spring 2020 or later, citizens or eligible non-citizens as confirmed by filing a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), enrolled half time in the semester they have an award,” and have “exceptional financial need” are eligible for this award.
Students do not need to fill out a separate application for this aid.
“A review of FAFSA filers who meet the above criteria and have exhausted all aid available to them will be considered,” Hamilton said. “Students will need to confirm that they have emergency costs due to the pandemic before an award will be officially made. To receive an award in fall 2021, a 2021-22 FAFSA will be required.”
Students who received CARES Act funding are not eligible for this award.
Sophie Ojdanic contributed to this report.
