Student Emergency Assistance  

The Department of Education has provided funds to SIUE through the CARES Act for the purpose of assisting eligible students with emergency expenses encountered due to the COVID-19 outbreak.  The SIUE Foundation and Student Affairs have also created a fund with donations from alumni, faculty and staff, parents, and community members called the SIUE Student Emergency Assistance Fund.  Please see below for more information about the funds and eligibility requirements.  

 Who is eligible for CARES Act funds?  

• Degree-seeking, classified students who filed a FAFSA for 2019-2020 and are eligible for Title IV federal financial aid  
• Students enrolled in at least one (1) credit hour in a face-to-face class during Spring 2020  
• Students not in default on any student loans  
• Students in good standing for Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) according to the Department of Education 

 Who is not eligible for CARES Act funds? 

• Students who are already participating in fully online programs 
• Students who aren’t eligible for Title IV federal financial aid, such as international students or DACA students 
• Students who completed all courses or withdrew from all courses prior to March 1, 2020 

 How will I know if I am eligible and how do I apply? 

• If you filed a FAFSA and are eligible for Title IV federal financial aid, information about how to submit a grant request has already been sent to your SIUE e-mail  
• Check your SIUE e-mail, including your “clutter” folder 
• Follow the instructions in the e-mail you received 
• PLEASE DO NOT COMPLETE THE APPLICATION BELOW 

  What if I filed a FAFSA and think I’m eligible, but didn’t get an e-mail? 

• Contact finaid@siue.edu for help 

 What if I didn’t file a FAFSA but am interested in applying for a CARES Act emergency grant? 

• You can file a 2019-2020 FAFSA at https://studentaid.gov/ to determine your Title IV federal financial aid eligibility for CARES Act funding 
• View instructions about the FAFSA process from Financial Aid for help 
• Once your FAFSA has been received by SIUE, contact finaid@siue.edu for information about CARES Act emergency grants and to request an application 
• PLEASE DO NOT FILE THE APPLICATION BELOW 

 What if I am not eligible for CARES Act funds, or I can’t file a FAFSA for any reason? 

• Students who are not eligible for Title IV federal financial aid may seek emergency funding for grants from the SIUE Student Emergency Assistance Fund through the SIUE Foundation 

 What expenses related to COVID-19 can be considered under the CARES Act or under the guidelines for the SIUE Student Emergency Assistance Fund?  

• Housing  
• Food  
• Course materials  
• Technology-related expenses  
• Transportation  
• Healthcare  
• Childcare  

Can I apply for a CARES Act grant and a grant from the Student Emergency Assistance Fund? 

• No, students are only eligible for one grant under the CARES Act if eligible and will not be eligible for a grant from the SIUE Student Emergency Assistance Fund 

 What is the deadline to apply for an emergency grant?  

• Grants are for Spring 2020 enrolled students, and requests will be accepted until June 1 or until funds are exhausted, whichever is earlier 

  What happens once I apply? 

      CARES Act Grants  

• If you are eligible for CARES Act funding, your application will be reviewed by Financial Aid   
• If you are eligible, the Bursar’s Office will issue funds either via direct deposit on file with the University or via check  

• Funds awarded will not be applied to any current bill at the University  
• Funds may be taxable 
• Funds do not need to be repaid 

        SIUE Emergency Assistance Fund Grants  

• If you are NOT eligible for CARES Act funds, your application will be reviewed by Student Affairs and Financial Aid  
• If you receive funding from the SIUE Student Emergency Assistance Fund, the SIUE Foundation will mail a check to the address you list on the application  
• Funds awarded will not be applied to any current bill at the University  
• Funds may be taxable 
• Funds do not need to be repaid 

• Grants may affect previously awarded aid from other sources and will be reported to Financial Aid  

  We hope to support as many impacted students as possible and ask that students consider their true need when making a request to ensure others in our community can benefit. Grant requests will be accepted until June 1, 2020 or until funds are exhausted, whichever is earlier.  

 If you are not eligible for a CARES Act emergency grant, submit an application for the SIUE Student Emergency Assistance Fund.