MSU Texas has received federal funding from the CARES Act, which provides assistance for student expenses related to the disruption of campus operations due to coronavirus. Eligible students can request funds in these categories:

  • Food
  • Housing
  • Course Materials
  • Technology
  • Health Care
  • Childcare expenses
  • Other Expenses (Expenses other than tuition/fees that do not fit any of the above)
Am I eligible?

You may be eligible for CARES Act funding if you are a student who was enrolled in the 2020 spring semester as of March 13, 2020. 

Per the U.S. Department of Education, international, non-U.S. citizens, and students enrolled exclusively in an online program are not eligible for CARES Act funding.

If you find that you are ineligible to receive federal dollars, MSU Texas has established an emergency fund through the generosity of our donors, friends, employees and local community. To learn more or apply, visit the COVID-19 Student Emergency Fund webpage .

How do I apply?

MSU Texas will disburse the CARES Act funding in three phases.

Phase I (COMPLETED): All eligible students per U.S. Department of Education guidance at the time received a $250 grant. Through the Phase I process, MSU Texas was able to provide immediate emergency financial aid relief to more than 3,200 students, totaling more than $800,000.

Phase II (COMPLETED): In addition to the $250 grant, an application for additional funds was available through May 15, 2020, with grant funds for approved applications awarded starting May 22. More than $1.2 million was disbursed to over 1,200 students who had applied during Phase II and were facing financial hardship due to the disruption caused by coronavirus.

Phase III (COMPLETED): All newly eligible students following updated guidance issued by the U.S. Department of Education on May 21, 2020, may submit a Phase III application for funds. Applications will be reviewed on a first-come, first-served basis, and awards are subject to the availability of remaining funds and dependent on the number of applications received. The amount of the award is determined using a consistent matrix derived from the semesterly cost of attendance at MSU Texas. It is important for students to submit their application at their earliest convenience. Students will be contacted at their my.msutexas.edu email address to notify them of the application decision or to ask for additional information.

All CARES Act funds have been disbursed to eligible students at this time. 

FAQs

What is the CARES Act?

The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act is federal legislation that provides a variety of financial support to individuals and organizations affected by the COVID-19 (novel coronavirus) pandemic.

The CARES Act includes a Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund (HEERF) that provides more than $14 billion in emergency funding to higher education. Of those funds, more than $6 billion must go directly to students in the form of emergency financial aid grants (HEERF-student share) for expenses related to the disruption of campus operations due to the COVID-19 crisis.

Midwestern State University will receive a total of $4,413,874 of which at least half ($2,206,937) must be provided directly to students for their expenses related to the disruption of campus operations due to coronavirus, such as food, housing, course materials, technology, health care, and childcare. The other half may be used by the university to cover costs associated with significant changes to the delivery of instruction and operations due to the coronavirus.

How much will I receive?

We are committed to assisting all eligible students who may have been impacted by the coronavirus pandemic to the greatest extent possible with the CARES Act funds available. Funds will be disbursed in three phases.

The first phase provided $250 to all eligible students per U.S. Department of Education guidance at the time.

The second phase included a grant application with additional funding up to a maximum award of $1,250.

The third phase includes a grant application for newly eligible students following updated guidance from the U.S. Department of Education. The amount of the award will be subject to the availability of remaining funds and is dependent on the number of applications received. Applications are reviewed on a first-come, first-served basis. It is important to submit your application at your earliest convenience. Students should request funds based on actual financial need for expenses related to the disruption of campus operations due to coronavirus, such as food, housing, course materials, technology, health care, and childcare, for the time period of March 23-May 15, 2020.

 

How will I receive this money?

Disbursements will be made via check or direct deposit. For faster payment processing, students are encouraged to sign up for direct deposit through Touchnet located in the my.msutexas.edu portal.

Do I need to repay the money?

No, you will not need to repay any money received through this fund.

Can I apply for funding more than once?

No, a student may only apply for funds once during the application period.

Does this funding affect my other financial aid?

No. This is an emergency grant to help you manage unexpected expenses related to the coronavirus, and it will not have any impact on other financial aid you may be eligible to receive.

What if I still have an account balance?

Any CARES Act funding awarded to you will be paid to you directly, and it will not cover any outstanding balances. Any outstanding balance owed to MSU Texas will remain the responsibility of the student.

Are the Emergency Grants taxable?

No. These funds are not taxable.

This emergency student aid program is funded by a $4.4 million grant from the U.S. Department of Education under the CARES Act (PR/Award no. P425E200196).