By Annie Deitz, Campus Carrier Managing Editor

MOUNT BERRY, Ga. — On May 12, the Office of Financial Aid sent out an email to students detailing Berry’s plans for distributing emergency assistance aid provided to the college by the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act.

The email explains that Berry has received the grant provided by the CARES Act and will be soon forwarding the allotted amount to Berry students. Grants will range from $250-$1,300, with the average being around $725. Grants will be allocated primarily in accordance with student need.

“The college will distribute these funds weighted by student need as determined by three factors: estimated family contribution, loss of student work income, and level of student debt,” the email said.

The email also explained that some of the grant will go towards reimbursing the costs students may have incurred if forced to undergo emergency repatriation during a study abroad trip. 

In order to be eligible to receive the CARES Act emergency funds, the email states that students must be eligible for federal financial aid programs, as expressed in the Higher Education act under Section 484. This code explains that to be eligible, students must be enrolled at an accredited institution and making satisfactory progress towards a degree. Students cannot have defaulted on any federal or institutional loans in the past and cannot have been convicted of fraud in attempting to obtain a loan. Students also must be citizens or permanent residents of the United States, or capable of showing evidence from the Immigration and Naturalization Services (INS) that they intend to become a citizen or permanent residence. More specific information regarding the eligibility requirements for recipients of grants from the CARES Act can be found here.

Students can expect to receive their checks over the course of the next ten days at their home address. Outside of the CARES Act, students can still utilize the Raise Your Hand form accessible here to express significant concerns regarding emergency financial situations.

For more information on the CARES Act, check out past coverage on Viking Fusion.

Related:

Berry receives over $1.5 million in CARES funding, half allocated for student relief