CARES Act Important Information

William Paterson University of New Jersey (WPUNJ) signed the Recipient’s Funding Certification and Agreement Emergency Financial Aid Grants to Students under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act Section 18004(a)(1) of the CARES Act, Pub. L. No. 116-136 on April 15, 2020. WPUNJ received $9,763,356 in CARES funds and will disburse 50% ($4,881,678) in emergency assistance to students.

WPUNJ estimates that 7,200 students are eligible to apply for the CARES emergency grants.

Status of Grants Distribution

The total number of awards and amount of Emergency Financial Aid Grant distributed to students under Section 18004(a)(1) of the CARES Act as of 8/6/2020.

The University will post and update on this webpage every two weeks the number of awards made and the total amount of grant funds disbursed to-date.

Distribution of Funds to Students

Students may apply for a CARES funding grant beginning June 8, 2020. All students who indicate eligible expense in the application form and submit the form by the final application due date will receive aid.

Grants to students will be distributed in two phases. The intent of phase one is to distribute cash to students as quickly as possible. By extending the process into a second phase which will be open through late July, the longer period of time will allow for thorough communication to students along with additional time for students to update expenses in their application form if needed.

*The phase one maximum award per student is $250. Phase one awards will be made on a first come, first serve basis until the full amount of funding is disbursed.

** Phase two funding will be fully disbursed to the pool of students who have applied as of the Final Application Due Date. If all eligible students apply for phase two funds, the per-student award amount is estimated to range between $400 and $700. Actual award amounts will be higher if fewer students apply. The phase two actual grant amounts will be calculated based on a tiered allocation that considers level of need based on students’ estimated family contribution (EFC). Each student’s award will be limited by and the amount of expense reported by the student in the application form.

Student Application Process

To apply for a CARES Emergency Grant, students must complete the CARES Emergency Grant Program application form by the final application due date of July 22, 2020.

Application Form CARES Grants FAQs

CARES Acts Institutional Portion (18004(a)(1)) and Minority Serving Institutions (18004(a)(2)) Grants

WPUNJ was allocated a total of $9,763,356 under Section 18004(a)(1). The Certification and Agreement for the Institutional Portion allows the non-student portion (50%, or $4,881,678) to be used for institutional costs associated with the coronavirus. During April, 2020, WPU refunded a pro-rata share of campus housing, meal plans, parking plans, and certain fees to students who left campus due to the COVID-19 pandemic. These refunds totalled $5,005,267. All of the Insitutional Portion of Section 18004(a)(1) CARES funds, ($4,881,678), were applied to the cost of these refunds.

Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund (HEERF) participating institutions who receive funds from the HEERF-Minority Serving Insitutions under Section 18004(a)(2) of the CARES Act (grants for Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), Tribally Controlled Colleges and Universities (TCCUs), and other Minority Serving Institutions (MSIs)) must post the information that follows on the institution’s primary website in a format and location that is easily accessible to the public. WPUNJ acknowledges that the institution signed and returned to the Department the Certification and Agreement.

Section 18004(a)(2) funds may be used to defray expenses incurred, including lost revenue, reimbursement for expenses already incurred, technology costs associated with a transition to distance learning, faculty and staff training, and payroll.

WPUNJ was awarded $705,001 under Section 18004(a)(2) of the CARES Act. These funds were applied to a portion of the student refunds made in April, 2020 for students who left campus due to the pandemic, and to multiple streams of lost revenue including Hospitality revenues lost due to the campus closure during March–June, 2020, lost Continuing Education course fee revenue due to class cancellations and reduced enrollment, and the waiver of Distance Learning fees during the spring and summer of 2020 given the necessity for all students to participate in online learning.

The Quarterly Budget and Expenditure Report for the quarter ending 9/30/2020 for CARES Act Sections 18004(a)(1) and 18004 (a)(2), which is also the final report (all funds have been expended), can be viewed HERE.