KU to distribute nearly $7.6 million in CARES Act funding to students

Colleagues,

Thank you for all you do on behalf of our students. During these challenging times, it’s important that we continue to focus on their well-being and do all we can to help them achieve their goals. With this in mind, we are writing to let you know about federal funding that will soon become available to certain students.

The University of Kansas will distribute $7,594,823 in federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act funding directly to students who have significant need and are facing financial challenges due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The disbursement, from the U.S. Department of Education as part of the CARES Act Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund, is designed to prioritize students with the greatest demonstrated need and ensure that funds are distributed as widely as possible.

The total amount will be split among KU’s campuses, with $6,789,086 earmarked for Lawrence and Edwards students, and $805,737 for KU Medical Center students.

In alignment with Department of Education recommendations that universities prioritize students with the greatest need, KU will distribute funding in two ways:

1. Recognizing that many students have financial challenges, funds will be set aside for students to access through a short online application. Applications will be quickly reviewed. Applications for assistance must be for housing, food, technology, or health care needs that resulted from the pandemic, as required by the federal act.
2. KU will distribute direct awards to students receiving Pell grants and who are already defined by the federal government as having exceptional need.

KU will receive its federal funding in the coming days. Once the university receives the funding, additional communication will be shared with students regarding direct awards and/or the application process for assistance.

In addition to emailing students directly, information will be shared at the Lawrence and Edwards CARES Act page and the KU Medical Center CARES Act page.

We know the hardships presented by this crisis continue to be felt deeply by many of you and your families, as well as our students. Thank you for your commitment to students’ well-being and your efforts to help them navigate this pandemic so they can continue to pursue their goals at KU.

Respectfully,

Douglas A. Girod
Chancellor

Barbara A. Bichelmeyer
Provost and Executive Vice Chancellor