CARES Act Reporting Information

On April 22, 2020, the University of Delaware signed and returned the Certification and Agreement to the Department of Education (ED) to receive CARES funding and intends to use at least 50% of the CARES Act funds received for emergency grants to UD students.

The University of Delaware received $6,087,405 in CARES Act funding from ED for emergency grant distribution to eligible students.

THe total amount of emergency grants distributed to students as of May 18, 2020, was $2,496,897, to 5,220 students.  All told, $5,940,300 was made accessible to 13,493 eligible students (the number of UD Title IV eligible students under Section 484 of the Higher Education Act).  For students who have not completed the process required to determine Title IV eligibility or have higher expenses than the amoung of the official CARES emergency grant, SFS is working closely with the Office of the Dean of Students to provide additional assistance until funding has been depleted.

The method used to determine which students received the emergency grants and how much they received was based on the Expected Family Contribution (EFC) from the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) according to the following table.

Eligible students were notified via email to the student (on May 11, 2020) and to the parent/guardian on record (on May 13, 2020) of the emergency grant assistance available.  The communication advised students to refer to their student accounts for grant award amounts and to request the funds be sent to them either via direct deposit or check to their current address.

Students were informed these funds cannot remain on the student account to reduce balances due to the University.  The University also required students to certify their eligibility for the grant funds by listing the amount of eligible COVID-19-related expenses the grant would offset.  Examples provided to the students to assist in determining cost-of-attendance-related expenses resulting from COVID-19 included food, housing, course materials, technology, health care, child care, and transportation from campus to home.  Students were able to request grant refunds to the lesser of the amount of the grant on their student account or the amount of eligible expenses certified.

COVID-19 EMERGENCY ASSISTANCE FOR CURRENTLY ENROLLED STUDENTS

What is the CARES Emergency Grant?

Under the Coronoavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, UD received funding for students financially impacted by the COVID-19 situation.  These funds were designed to provide direct financial support to students for expenses related to COVID-19 and the disruption of on-campus services.

Who is eligible for the CARES Emergency Grant?

Students who have faced serious financial hardship due to unanticipated expenses are eligible for the CARES Emergency Grant provided they meet the following conditions:

• Recipients must be currently enrolled as a student at the University of Delaware; students enrolled in an online-only program prior to Spring 2020 conversion are not eligible.
• Recipients must be able to show temporary financial hardship associated with the COVID-19 campus disruption, if requested.
• Recipients must understand that the level of financial need as demonstrated by financial aid application (FAFSA) determines grant amount.

How do I prove temporary financial hardship due to COVID-19?

To receive the CARES Emergency Grant, students will have to certify that they have incurred additional expenses directly related to the COVID-19 situation.  (Eligible expenses can include items such as food, housing, course materials, technology, health care, child care, and transportation from campus to home.)  Students will be required to estimate the amount of those expenses and include that number with the certification.  If the financial impact is less than the grant amount, the grant will be reduced to the amount the student certified.

How were grant amounts determined?

Based on the overall federal funding UD received, and in conjunction with the number of eligible students, the grant was divided based on the Expected Family Contribution (EFC), as determined by the FAFSA.  EFC ranges and grant amounts were as follows.

How will I get my CARES Emergency Grant?

Grant funding is being applied to the student account.  Students can request a refund online.  We encourage students to use direct deposit when requesting the refund, as it is the quickest and most secure method for receiving the money.  Note that if students do not request the CARES Emergency Grant refund by June 1, the CARES Emergency Grant will be removed from the student account.  Funds can be reinstated if remaining funds are available.

What if I have a balance due on my student account or want to use these funds for future costs?

The federal government will not allow the University to use these funds to cover student account balances (whether for outstanding balances or future term charges).  If you wish to use the grant to pay all or a portion of your balance due to the University or as payment for future terms, you must request the refund and then submit payment to UD.

What if I am not eligible for the CARES Emergency Grant?

The University's Student Crisis Fund is available to support students who are in financial need and are not eligible for the CARES Emergency Grant.  Students can apply for this fund by completing the Student Crisis Fund Application.  Email deanofstudents@udel.edu with questions, or reach out to staff in the Office of the Dean of Students.

Are there any funds available for students or families who have had other financial setbacks, e.g., job loss or pay reductions, resulting from COVID-19?

If you or your family has experienced a significant financial change, you may submit a COVID-19 aid appeal request through askSFS to be taken into consideration for the 2020-2021 academic year.  Appeal submission should be sent after July 1 to allow time for you and your family to fully review your current situation, and additional documentation to support your request will be required at that time.  In addition, Student Financial Services is working to identify funds that may be available to assist families for the current 2019-2020 academic year.

Billing Updates

The final Spring 2020 semester payment due date was April 29.  Charges for students with Summer Session 2020 registration are due on June 8, or upon registration for those registering after June 8.  The University anticipates sending Fall 2020 undergraduate billing notifications on or around July 10, with a due date of August 1.  Billing notifications for graduate/PCS students will be sent on our around August 10, wiith a due date of the first day of classes, September 1.  Additional information will be provided here as it becomes available.   

If you have an outstanding balance due from Spring 2020 and are unable to make payment at this time, please refer to the FAQs, below.

Student Account Adjustment FAQs

What charges were eligible for adjustments due to the COVID-19 emergency situation?

Student charges in the following categories were eligible for adjustments:

• Housing - for students living on campus prior to the COVID-19 emergency situation
• Dining - for students (on or off campus) taking advantage of UD dining plans/points
• Mandatory fees - for students charged the Comprehensive and/or Student Center Fee
• Parking fees - for student parking permit holders
• Course fees - for students enrolled in a limited number of courses where services are not able to continue in an online format
• Change of Registration Fee - for students charged the fee in the 2020 Spring Semester

How were adjustments to my charges determined?

Student charge adjustments were calculated based on the following:

• Housing - prorated based on the proportionate time not residing in residence halls between their closure and the end of the Spring Semester (March 18 - May 30, 2020); students with permission to remain living on campus after March 18 will receive a prorated housing adjustment based on their move-out date.   
  
• Dining - block dining plans adjusted to reflect value of unused block meals; unused dining points refunded in full
• Mandatory fees - Comprehensive, Student Center, and Graduate Recreational Fees reduced for the 2020 Spring Semester
• Parking - prorated based on the proportionate time between the closure of the residence halls and the end of the Spring Semester (March 18 - May 30, 2020)
• Course fees - determined by the department of the charge's origin
  
• Change of Registration Fee - reversed for all students charged the fee in Spring 2020
  

Were there any adjustments for tuition?

Online classes continue to prioritize the learning outcomes that our distinguished faculty have established for the courses. While the delivery of those courses may be different, the University is committed to maintaining the high quality of instruction that students expect from UD to earn their degree. Therefore, the University is not refunding or discounting tuition for online courses.

Was any financial aid adjusted as a result of the refund of charges?

Yes.  For students who received financial aid (University scholarship or grant) to offset housing and/or dining charges, the scholarship/grant aid was adjusted to correlate with the adjusted charges.  Not all students will receive a refund due to these changes.  However, in no instance did a student's aid adjustment result in the student owing the University additional money.

How do I request my credit balance as a refund?

Students receiving CARES Emergency Grant funds must certify CARES Grant eligibility and request that refund before any remaining credit balance can be returned to them.  If the remaining credit balance is due to a federal loan (student or parent loan), you must then request a refund of the credit balance by logging in to UDSIS and selecting "Request a Refund" under the Finances heading.  For credit balances based on all other payment types to the account, you have the option of either leaving the credit balance on your account to cover future charges (e.g., Summer Session or Fall Semester costs), or you may request a refund.

What happens if I still owe money after the adjustments have been made?

If you have a balance due and are unable to make payment at this time as a result of the COVID-19 situation, we encourage you to reach out to a Student Financial Services advisor through our online askSFS contact form.

Am I able to appeal for additional grant aid due to COVID-19 changes to my or my family's financial situation?

Yes.  The financial crisis of the pandemic has affected families in different ways.  If you or your family has experienced a significant financial change, you may submit a COVID-19 aid appeal request through askSFS to be taken into consideration for the 2020-2021 academic year.  Appeal submission should be sent after July 1 to allow time for you and your family to fully review your current situation, and additional documentation to support your request will be required at that time.  In addition, Student Financial Services is working to identify funds that may be available to assist families for the current 2019-2020 academic year.

Billing Timeline for 2020 Summer Session

Billing Timeline for 2020 Fall Semester

Apply for Financial Aid

Students interested in applying for financial aid for Summer 2020 should submit a Free Application for Federal Student Aid for academic year 2019-2020 using UD's school code of 001431.  A FAFSA for academic year 2020-2021 is required for financial aid consideration for Fall 2020 and Winter/Spring/Summer 2021.

Student Health Insurance

Full-time undergraduate, non-contracted full-time graduate, contracted graduate, and international students are required to have health insurance, and UD provides a student plan into which they can be enrolled automatically.

Health insurance charges are billed to the student account, but can be waived by students newly entering UD in the Fall Semester who have equivalent coverage through an existing health insurance plan.

Visit University Health Plans to waive the UD Health Plan or to enroll.  Waiver deadline:  September 15.