Elon University has been allocated three phases of funding from the federal government to support students who may be hindered financially during the COVID-19 pandemic and to assist the university in recovering costs associated with significant changes to the delivery of instruction due to the pandemic.

The three phases are:

  1. The Coronavirus Aid Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act, signed March 24, 2020
  2. The Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act (CRRSAA), signed Dec. 27, 2020
  3. The American Rescue Plan (COVID-19 Stimulus Package), signed March 11, 2021

Information on this page provides and overview of received and expected allocations to Elon University, plans for distribution of aid to students and use of the aid by the university and regular reports about how the funding was allocated.

Required reporting for allocations and expenditures of funding is available here.

The Coronavirus Aid Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act

Elon University received funding through the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act to help support students who may be struggling financially during the COVID-19 pandemic.

  • The CARES Act funding has been used to provide emergency financial aid grants to eligible students with significant need to help them cover certain past or future expenses due to the disruption caused by this global public health crisis.
  • Students enrolled at Elon during spring semester 2020 who met basic eligibility criteria for federal financial aid have been considered for CARES Act grants. Elon’s Office of Financial Aid used Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) data to determine student eligibility, with the highest priority given to those with the greatest financial need. Eligible students were contacted by email on Tuesday, May 12, by the Office of Financial Aid about the process of receiving a CARES Act grant.
  • Elon University received $1,494,616 under the Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund student portion. Of that amount, $1,299,529 has been distributed to students as of March 31, 2021.
  • Elon determined that 2,610 students were eligible to receive an emergency financial aid grant and 2,034 students have requested and received an emergency financial aid grant as of March 31, 2021.
  • The university received $1,494,616 which is available to assist in recovering costs associated with significant changes to the delivery of instruction due to the coronavirus. Allowable reimbursements include, but are not limited to, costs related to refunds and credits of tuition, housing, room and board, additional technology needs, off-campus housing, campus safety and support for faculty and staff training in online instruction.
  • Reimbursement of these expenses is limited to the cumulative awarding of Emergency Financial Aid Grants. Cumulative expenses by the university claimed to date equal $1,299,529.

Full reporting on CARES Act allocations and expenditures is available here.

The Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act (CRRSAA)

The Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act (CRRSAA) was approved by Congress and signed into law on Dec. 27, 2020. The CRRSAA includes support for higher education, including emergency grants for students who may be struggling financially during the COVID-19 pandemic.

  • Elon University expects to receive a total allocation of $4,333,388 in April 2021, of which $1,494,616 is designated for emergency grants to students.
  • The U.S. Department of Education has issued guidance that requires emergency grant recipients to be U.S. citizens or eligible non-citizens. Elon University offers other types of emergency aid and more information about those resources is available here.
  • After the funding distribution to the university from the federal government, eligible Elon students will receive information about how to request an emergency grant through OnTrack this spring. Students will be able to request that any emergency grant funding be used to satisfy charges on the student’s account or may request approved grants to be directly distributed through the Bursar’s Office.

Full reporting on CRRSAA allocations and expenditures is available here.

The American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (COVID-19 Stimulus Package)

The American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 was approved by Congress and signed into law on March 11, 2021. Similar to the two previous phases, funding will be used to provide emergency grants to students who may be struggling financially during the COVID-19 pandemic as well as to reimburse institutions for pandemic-related expenses. Elon University expects to receive a total allocation of $7,805,756, of which $3,902,878 is to be allocated to students.

Elon University will notify students of the application process in mid-September and disbursements will commence at the beginning of October 2021.  The amount distributed to each student will be determined after all applications have been received by the end of September.