COVID-19 Updates | Financial Aid

Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund (HEERF) Required Disclosure and Reporting

Emergency Federal Grants to Students under the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations (CRRSA) Act and Education Stabilization Fund

Under the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations (CRRSA) Act, the $82 billion Education Stabilization Fund incorporates emergency funds for student grants similar to the CARES Act grant. The allowable uses of funds are more flexible than the CARES Act grant as it allows funds to be distributed to even those enrolled exclusively in distance education and students in continuing education and non-credit programs. Eligible students are those NJIT students with emergency expenses and with the highest need who are US citizens or eligible non-citizens. To measure need, filing the 2020-2021 FAFSA is recommended, but a FAFSA is not required. If no FAFSA is on file, students must attest of their need on their applications. For the first time, under this new legislation, emergency funds can be used to pay down student tuition balances, and for other emergency expenses incurred on or after March 13, 2020 pandemic date. Such expenses include any component of the cost of attendance such as food, housing, transportation, course materials, technology, health care, and childcare.

Application: Emergency Financial Aid Grants Request Form (To avoid any issues accessing the application, make sure to close all email accounts and only have NJIT email account open in the browser)

Policy: Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations (CRRSA) Act and Education Stabilization Fund

FAQs: Emergency Financial Aid Grants (CRRSA) FAQs

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

As per updated guidance from the Department of Education received on April 21, 2020, Only students who are or could be eligible to participate in programs under Section 484 in Title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965, as amended (HEA), may receive emergency financial aid grants. Such students are those that have filed a 2019-2020 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), and met the federal aid eligibility criteria. The criteria to participate in federal programs under Section 484 of the HEA include but are not limited to the following: U.S. citizenship or eligible noncitizen; a valid Social Security number; registration with Selective Service (if the student is male); and a high school diploma, GED, or completion of high school in an approved homeschool setting. Further, students who were exclusively in an online program on March 13, 2020, the date the President declared a national emergency due to COVID-19 outbreak are not eligible for emergency financial aid grants. Finally, the CARES Act requires institutions to provide the emergency financial aid grants directly to students to pay for emergency expenses which include items in the student’s cost of attendance such as food, housing, course materials, technology, health care, and childcare. Such expenses must be related to the disruption of campus operations due to coronavirus, and therefore, grants cannot be used to satisfy students’ outstanding account balances.

(updated April 21, 2020)

Policy: Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Policy

FAQs: CARES III Act Emergency Grants Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Webinar Presentation: CARES Information Powerpoint

COVID-19 Financial Aid Announcement: April 17, 2020

During these challenging and unprecedented times caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, the entire NJIT community is committed to addressing the needs of our students. As the coronavirus challenges continue we recognize how it creates profound financial burdens to students affected by COVID-19. Rest assured that NJIT community is committed to our students as every decision we make puts student first. Some of the resources available was made possible by the recent law known as the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act. Under this law, Emergency Grants are available for students with unforeseen expenses related to disruption of campus operations due to the coronavirus. Other types of relief include Federal Work-Study jobs impacted by COVID-19 where on-campus employment may not be possible, but under certain conditions, students can continue to get paid. As more guidance is provided by the U.S. Department of Education, this webpage will be updated, so please regularly check back.

To avoid any issues accessing the application, make sure to close all email accounts and only have NJIT email account open in the browser.

Application: Emergency Financial Aid Grants Request Form

Policy: Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Policy

Fund Delivery and Timeline:
The Emergency Grant Committee will begin to review applications starting Friday, April 24th to May 15th. The funds will be released every Wednesday starting April 29 until May 20th (assuming NJIT receives the funds from the Department of Education). After May 20th, the committee will meet every other Friday and funds will be released every other Wednesday.