CARES Act

In compliance with the Department of Education’s CARES Act reporting requirements, the CARES Act Report is available.

In May 2020, the Board of Regents approved distribution principles for the student portion of the Federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, which includes the Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund. It is a resource for students who have encountered unforeseen expenses related to the disruption of campus operations due to the coronavirus pandemic (COVID-19).

Eligibility

• Are/were enrolled as a degree-seeking undergraduate student at the University of Minnesota Twin Cities for spring 2020, summer 2020, and/or fall 2020; and
• Have a completed a 2019-2020 or 2020-2021 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and are eligible for Title IV financial aid; and
• Incurred additional expenses related to the disruption of campus operations due to the coronavirus pandemic (COVID-19).

Funds will be distributed to undergraduate students based on additional expenses incurred that were related to the disruption of campus operations due to the coronavirus pandemic (COVID-19). If you already received CARES Act funding from the University of Minnesota Twin Cities, you are allowed to apply again; however, you must have had additional expenses that have not been previously reimbursed. 

You are encouraged to apply as soon as possible due to the limited amount of funds. Note: these funds are only for undergraduate students as funding for graduate/professional students has been depleted.

Types of expenses covered

All covered expenses must be related to the disruption of campus operations due to the coronavirus pandemic (COVID-19). Examples include, but are not limited to:

• Housing (rent, mortgage, utilities, housing fees, or other living expenses)
• Food (groceries, restaurant, food delivery, take out food services, or other meal expenses)
• Course materials (books, supplies, lab equipment, or other course material expenses)
• Technology (computer, internet, cell phone data plan, printer, scanner, or other remote technology expenses)
• Health care (medical, counseling, prescriptions, equipment/supplies, or other health related expenses)
• Dependent or immediate family care (day care, baby sitting, at home care, care for elderly parents, or other dependent related expenses)
• Other (tutoring, unanticipated academic/living situations, travel expenses related to the campus disruption, or other educational expenses)

Types of expenses not covered

Expenses that are not related to the disruption of campus operations due to the coronavirus pandemic (COVID-19) are not covered by the fund. 

• Tuition and fees
• Study abroad costs

CARES Act application

Students who meet the eligibility criteria listed above need to email One Stop Student Services at onestop@umn.edu with the Subject Line of "CARES Act funding request". Within 2-3 business days, One Stop Student Services will send an application to the student. Students are encouraged to complete this application as soon as possible as funds are limited. 

We highly recommend you sign up for direct deposit for your student account if you have not already done so. This will facilitate a more efficient transfer of funds if your request is approved.