International Students And Cares Act: Who Qualifies?

The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act was signed into law by President Trump on March 27, 2020, to help college students impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. The Act allocates $14 billion in grants to colleges for existing college and graduate students, with more than $12 billion distributed based on student enrollment. While international students are not eligible for the CARES Act Emergency Financial Aid Grant, they may be able to receive funding through other means, such as university-specific grants or funds.

International students are ineligible for CARES Act Emergency Financial Aid Grants

The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act) was signed into law in March 2020 to provide emergency financial aid grants to colleges and universities, which they could then distribute to students facing hardship due to the COVID-19 pandemic. However, international students are ineligible for CARES Act Emergency Financial Aid Grants.

To be eligible for the CARES Act grants, students must meet specific criteria. They must have been enrolled in the spring of 2020 and incurred expenses directly related to the disruption of campus operations due to the pandemic. Additionally, they must be eligible for Title IV funding, which typically includes US citizens or eligible non-citizens with a valid Social Security number. This eligibility is determined by having filed the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).

International students do not meet the criteria for Title IV funding and, therefore, are not eligible for the CARES Act grants. While the CARES Act provides funding to colleges to offer emergency financial aid grants to students, the allocation of these grants is at the discretion of the institutions. Some universities have chosen to use other funds to provide financial assistance to international students facing hardship due to the pandemic. For example, Villanova University encouraged international students to apply for support through their Undergraduate and Graduate Student Hardship Funds. Similarly, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University mentioned that international students could apply for their Eagles Care Student Emergency Assistance Fund.

It is important to note that while international students are ineligible for the CARES Act Emergency Financial Aid Grants, they may still be able to receive other forms of assistance, such as through university-specific funds or scholarships. International students facing financial difficulties due to the COVID-19 pandemic are encouraged to explore the options available at their respective institutions or contact the financial aid office for further guidance.

International students can apply for other grants, like the Eagles Care Student Emergency Assistance Fund

International students are not eligible for the CARES Act Emergency Financial Aid Grant. However, they can apply for other grants, like the Eagles Care Student Emergency Assistance Fund, subject to the availability of funds. The CARES Act Emergency Financial Aid Grant is only available to US citizens or eligible non-citizens with a valid Social Security number and registration with the Selective Service.

International students facing unexpected financial hardship can also contact their university's Office of Financial Aid, which may be able to offer assistance through federal funds, university funds/loans, donor scholarships, or other sources. For example, Florida International University (FIU) in Miami, FL, has provided Emergency Financial Aid Grants to students from the Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund (HEERF). This includes international students, citizens, permanent residents, refugees, asylum seekers, Deferred Action for Childhood Arrival (DACA) recipients, other DREAMers, and similar undocumented students.

Additionally, international students can explore scholarships and grants offered by organisations like the Fund for Education Abroad, which provides financial support to students with demonstrated financial need who wish to study abroad.

It is important to note that the availability of financial aid may vary depending on the university and the specific circumstances of the student. Students are advised to refer to their university's Financial Aid webpages or contact the relevant office for detailed information on the grants and scholarships available to international students.

To be eligible for the CARES Act Emergency Financial Aid Grant, students must meet specific criteria. They must have been enrolled for the spring 2020 term (Daytona and Prescott campuses) or the January or March term (Worldwide campus). They must also have incurred expenses directly related to the disruption of campus operations due to the COVID-19 pandemic and be eligible to receive Title IV funding by completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).

International students can apply for the University’s Undergraduate Student Hardship Fund

International students are not eligible for the CARES Act Emergency Financial Aid Grant. However, they may be able to apply for other funding opportunities, such as the University's Eagles Care Student Emergency Assistance Fund (subject to availability of funds) or the Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund (HEERF).

International students can apply for the University's Undergraduate Student Hardship Fund. This fund is a means-tested grant, meaning it is not a loan and does not need to be repaid. It is available to assist with living and digital equipment costs. To be eligible, international students must demonstrate that their household income is below a certain level. The fund will provide a contribution of £500 to help with fuel costs for students in privately rented accommodation. Additionally, students who have experienced unexpected circumstances, such as bereavement or loss of earnings, may also be considered for support.

The application process for the Undergraduate Student Hardship Fund typically involves submitting an online application form via the university's student portal. Applicants can expect to receive a response within 20 working days of submitting their completed application form and supporting documents. It is important to note that priority groups exist for this fund, and not all applicants are guaranteed to receive the maximum amount.

It is always worth contacting the university's financial aid office, as they may be able to offer assistance through other sources, such as federal funds, university funds/loans, donor scholarships, or other resources. They can provide guidance on the specific eligibility criteria and application processes for the various funding opportunities available.

International students enrolled at FIU during the COVID-19 emergency may receive HEERF

To be eligible for HEERF funding, students must meet specific criteria. Firstly, they must have been enrolled at FIU during the COVID-19 national emergency, which began on March 13, 2020. This includes international students, as well as citizens, permanent residents, refugees, asylum seekers, DACA recipients, DREAMers, and similar undocumented students. Secondly, students must demonstrate that they have incurred expenses directly related to the disruption of campus operations due to the pandemic. These expenses may include costs related to their education, such as tuition, books, and educational materials, as well as emergency costs such as food, housing, healthcare, or childcare.

It is important to note that international students are not eligible for the CARES Act Emergency Financial Aid Grant. However, they may be able to apply for other forms of assistance, such as the University's Eagles Care Student Emergency Assistance Fund, provided by Florida International University (FIU), or the IIE International Students COVID-19 Emergency Student Fund. These funds are typically available to students who can demonstrate financial need and provide documentation of their expenses.

To apply for HEERF funding and other forms of assistance, students should refer to the FIU Emergency Aid application and the FIU Emergency Department site for specific instructions and guidance. Additionally, students facing unexpected hardship can contact FIU at [email protected] for further resources and support.

International students are ineligible for HEERF II funds

The CARES Act provides emergency grants to students whose education has been affected by the disruption of campus operations due to the coronavirus pandemic. Students who meet the eligibility criteria can apply for the Federal Emergency Grant. However, international students are not eligible for the CARES Act Emergency Financial Aid Grant.

The Higher Education Emergency Relief Funds II (HEERF II) were created under the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act (CRRSAA). HEERF II funds are awarded to students under CRRSAA and are not treated as taxable income or untaxed income for Title IV federal student aid purposes. However, it is important to note that international students are ineligible for HEERF II funds.

The Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act (PRWORA) of 1996, which prohibits certain noncitizens from receiving federal benefits, applies to HEERF II funds. This makes DACA, undocumented, and international students ineligible for these funds. While there has been no written guidance from the Department of Education (ED) to clarify the eligibility of these students, a Trump administration official verbally stated that they were not eligible.

Colleges can use HEERF II and unspent CARES funds to support students who are not Title IV eligible, including non-degree-seeking, non-credit, dual enrollment, and continuing education students. The Department is exploring additional opportunities to support vulnerable students, including international students, during the national coronavirus pandemic emergency.

While international students are generally ineligible for HEERF II funds, eligible student groups for HEERF III funds include citizens, permanent residents, international students, refugees, asylum seekers, DACA recipients, and undocumented students.

Frequently asked questions