Your Financial Aid

Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund Reporting – Emergency Financial Aid Grants to Students (Updated August 14, 2020)

1. Mansfield University signed and returned to the Department of Education the Certification and Agreement to receive funds under Section 18004(a)(1) of the CARES Act. Mansfield University will use no less than 50% of the total funds received to provide Emergency Financial Aid Grants to students.
2. Mansfield University will receive $966,059 from the Department to provide Emergency Financial Aid Grants to students.
3. As of August 14, 2020, Mansfield University has distributed $660,000 in Emergency Financial Aid Grants Block Grants and $12,750 in one-time application-based Emergency Aid Grants.
4. As of August 14, 2020, Mansfield University had 1321 students eligible to participate in programs under Section 484 in Title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965 and thus eligible to receive Emergency Financial Aid Grants to students under Section 18004(a)(1) of the CARES Act.
5. As of August 14, 2020, Mansfield University distributed $500 to each of the 1321 eligible students, and 15 students received one-time application-based emergency aid grants.
6. Mansfield University awarded block grants to students who met the following criteria:
   1. Enrolled as a degree-seeking student on March 13, 2020, the date of the declaration of the national emergency
   2. Valid FAFSA for the 2019-20 Academic year on file
      1. Not in default
      2. Meeting satisfactory academic progress
   3. Not in an exclusively online program*
      1. Students enrolled in an online program that either lived in on-campus residence halls or were enrolled in on-campus classes were granted an exception as they were impacted by a disruption of campus services
7. Mansfield University awarded application-based grants to students who met the above criteria for the spring 2020 term as well as to newly enrolled students for the fall 2020 term who met the following criteria:
   1. Enrolled as a degree-seeking student for the Fall 2020 term
   2. Valid FAFSA for the 2020-21 academic year on file
      1. Not in default
      2. Meeting satisfactory academic progress
   3. Not in an exclusively online program
8. Communication to students included:
   1. An email from Mansfield University President Charles Patterson on April 29, 2020 that included information on upcoming disbursements of CARES Act Emergency Financial Aid Grants to eligible students.
   2. Information has been posted on the University’s financial aid webpage, which includes the following:

FAQs - CARES Act Emergency Aid Block Grants

What is the CARES Act emergency aid block grant?

The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act) established the Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund. Using a formula established by Congress, the funds were allocated to institutions of higher education to provide emergency financial aid grants to eligible students for expenses related to the disruption of campus operations due to coronavirus.

How do I know if I’m eligible?

Department of Education guidance requires that grant recipients meet federal student aid eligibility requirements. Requirements include, but are not limited to:

• Be enrolled in a degree program
• Be a U.S. citizen or national, a permanent resident, or an eligible noncitizen
• Valid 2019-20 FAFSA on file
• Meeting Satisfactory Academic Progress
• Not in default on any federal loans
• No overpayments on federal grants or loans

Additionally, the Department of Education has stated students enrolled in an exclusively online program are not eligible because they were not impacted by a disruption of campus services.

How much is the block grant?

Mansfield University is awarding a one-time $500 grant to each student that meets the eligibility requirements set forth by the Department of Education.

What can it be used for?

The emergency aid grants can be used for expenses associated with standard cost of attendance items such as food, housing, childcare, transportation, books and other supplies and technology. If you plan to purchase technology to assist with remote learning, our Campus Technology website may offer some guidance: https://ct.mansfield.edu/

I’m experiencing a significant financial hardship. Is more funding available?

Additional funding for extreme situations will be available soon. Check back soon for the funding policy and application information.

1. 3. Upon disbursement, students received an email notification from the Office of Financial Aid that included the following message:

Dear FIRST NAME,

The Office of Financial Aid has identified you as an eligible student for the Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund under the CARES Act. You have received a one-time block grant of $500. These funds, payable directly to the student, are to be used for expenses associated with the disruption of campus operations due to coronavirus, such as food, housing, course materials, technology, health care, and child-care expenses.

If you have provided your bank information in Student Self-Service, the funds will be direct deposited to your account within 3-5 business days. If we do not have your bank information, a check will be mailed to your home address.

Visit our site for more information.

Be safe and be well.

The CARES Act Emergency Aid Grant application is now available for the fall 2020 semester. Eligible students may request a one-time grant to assist with expenses related to a disruption of campus services due to COVID-19.

In order to apply, you must meet the following criteria:

• Valid 2020 FAFSA on file
• Meet the eligibility requirements for federal student aid, which includes, but is not limited to:
  • Satisfactory academic progress
  • Registered for Selective Service (males over 18 years of age)
  • Not in default or have an overpayment of any federal student aid
• Enrolled for the fall semester in a program that is normally a face to face program.

To complete the online application:

1. Go to mansfield.verifymyfafsa.com

If this is your first time accessing this site, you will be asked to verify your first name, last name, date of birth and social security number. You must enter the information exactly as it was entered on your FAFSA or you will receive an error message. Once you have verified your identity, you will be able to log in using your Mansfield University email and password.

2. In the top right-hand corner, click on the button to add a request – “+ Request”
3. From the pop-up menu, click on the + next to emergency aid request
4. Provide a short reason for the request and hit submit
5. You will be automatically redirected back to your “task” page to complete the emergency aid request application
6. Once your application has been reviewed, you will receive an email notification of the outcome (approved, denied, or a request for additional information)