More CARES funds available for students

The University of North Georgia (UNG) has been awarded approximately $21 million through the federal Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund (HEERF) to continue to support students who have an exceptional need for cost of attendance expenses.

"The university's HEERF III (UNG CARES III) student funding plan features two ways to get funding, the automatic disbursement and the emergency grant application. The plan helps us provide financial assistance to as many students as possible," Jill Rayner, director of Financial Aid, said. "Unlike with previous UNG CARES funds, we plan to issue funds and grants through two disbursements during the semester to help students finish strong."

The HEERF III funds are open to all UNG undergraduate, graduate, dual enrollment, non-degree, transient, international, DACA and undocumented students. Students may get funding through automatic disbursements or emergency grants; some may qualify for both.

To be eligible for an automatic disbursement, a student must:

• be enrolled for fall semester as of Sept. 11, 2021;
• have completed a FAFSA for 2021-2022; and
• be eligible for Title IV financial aid, with an estimated family contribution (EFC) of $5,846 or less.

Eligible students will receive automatic grants of $300 to $700. Funds will be disbursed twice: the week of Sept. 13 and the week of Nov. 8. Students must set-up a refund preference prior to Sept. 8, or funds may be delayed by a minimum of 14 days.

Students who are facing specific hardships may apply for up to $1,800 through the HEERF III (UNG CARES III) Emergency Grant. Students who receive automatic disbursement may be eligible for the Emergency Grant as well.

"For emergency grants, the application reviewers will evaluate the need of the student to attend college," Rayner said. "This emergency funding is open to all UNG students, but funding may be limited due to high demand, so we encourage students to apply early."

Funds may be used for cost of attendance expenses such as housing, utilities, food, technology, books, supplies, transportation, gas, mental and physical wellness and childcare.

As funding remains available, similar grants will be available to eligible students who are enrolled in the spring semester.

For additional information, visit http://go.ung.edu/ung-cares.

The newest allocation of $21 million is in addition to the $13.6 million in federal funds the university has distributed to students since April 2020.