YSU announces second phase of federal CARES Act grants for students
Youngstown State University students can receive grants of up to $2,000 to defray expenses related to the coronavirus as part of the second phase of the university’s distribution of funds under the federal CARES Act.
The YSU Penguins CARE Grant offers awards of between $500 and $2,000 for students who were enrolled in an on-campus degree program in Spring Semester 2020 and who incurred pandemic-related expenses for housing, food, course materials, technology, healthcare and/or childcare.
Students apply online using their YSU portal ID and password.
“These grants are yet another source to help students financially burdened by the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Eddie Howard, vice president for Student Affairs.
Howard specifically noted that housing costs related to the coronavirus are among qualifying expenses for the grants. That would mean that YSU students who held leases in private apartment complexes adjacent to campus during Spring Semester 2020 and incurred expenses when the university switched to remote instruction in mid-March could be eligible for a YSU Penguins CARE Grant. A separate Rent Verification Form must also be completed.
The grants are the second phase of distribution of funds YSU received from the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act approved by Congress earlier this spring. Earlier this month, YSU announced phase one distribution in which more than 3,500 students who receive Federal Pell Grants during Spring Semester 2020 are eligible to apply online for the $1,000 Penguins CARE Emergency Grant. Students enrolled in online degree programs as of March 13, 2020, are not eligible for the CARES grants. For more information, call the YSU Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships.
The federal CARES funding is in addition to refunds students have already received for general fees and for room and board fees for university housing. Also separate from CARES is the Penguin-to-Penguin fund established by the YSU Foundation to help students with pandemic-related financial needs. The fund has received more than $75,000 in private donations. Students who want to apply for Penguin-to-Penguin funds, click here.