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Home / COVID Information / Emergency COVID-19 Federal Grant Common Questions

Emergency COVID-19 Federal Grant Common Questions

The following information is based on the latest guidance available from the Department of Education and is subject to change. WVU will notify students and families as soon as possible of any changes.

Questions will be added and updated as information becomes available. If you can't find the answer to your question, please submit a question or email returntocampus@mail.wvu.edu.

Do I need to submit an application to be considered for a Spring 2022 ARPA Emergency Grant?

Eligible international students will receive an email from the Office of Global Affairs containing an application they can submit for consideration.

Domestic students do not need to go through an application process aside from submitting a 2021-2022 FAFSA by January 26, 2022. Those who have submitted a FAFSA will be automatically reviewed for eligibility based on the outlined criteria.

How do I know if WVU received my 2021-2022 FAFSA by January 26?

Log into your WVU Portal and click on “Financial Aid Information.” From there, click on “Eligibility” and select the 2021-2022 aid year. You will then be able to see “Satisfied Requirements” for the 2021-2022 financial aid year. If WVU has your FAFSA on file, you will see the FAFSA listed in this section along with the date it was received.

How much Spring 2022 ARPA Emergency Grant funding could I receive?

In order to prioritize students with the greatest financial need, distribution of grants will be based on students’ Expected Family Contribution (EFC) as determined by the 2021-2022 FAFSA. Eligible recipients of the Federal Pell Grant with an EFC of zero may receive a spring emergency grant of $1,500. Eligible recipients of the Federal Pell Grant with an EFC greater than zero may receive a spring emergency grant of $1,000. Eligible non-Pell recipients with an EFC of zero to $10,000 may receive a spring emergency grant of $750. Eligible non-Pell recipients with an EFC of $10,001 to $20,000 may receive a spring emergency grant of $500.

In mid-February, WVU began awarding grants to students who met all of the previously established eligibility criteria but were attending less than half-time. Eligible recipients of the Federal Pell Grant with an EFC of zero who are attending less than half-time may receive a spring emergency grant of $750. Eligible recipients of the Federal Pell Grant with an EFC greater than zero may receive a spring emergency grant of $500. Eligible non-Pell recipients with an EFC of zero to $10,000 who are attending less than half time may receive a spring emergency grant of $375. Eligible non-Pell recipients with an EFC of $10,001 to $20,000 who are attending less than half-time may receive a spring emergency grant of $250.

In mid-March 2022, the University awarded the remainder of its ARPA funds based on spring enrollment. Domestic students who had already received a spring 2022 ARPA emergency grant, were attending at least half-time and maintained all other eligibility requirements received a 50% increase to their previous spring grant. Eligible recipients of the Federal Pell Grant with an EFC of zero may receive an additional $750. Eligible recipients of the Federal Pell Grant with an EFC greater than zero may receive an additional $500. Eligible non-Pell recipients with an EFC of zero to $10,000 may receive an additional $375. Eligible non-Pell recipients with an EFC of $10,001 to $20,000 may receive an additional $250. Students who were newly eligible for spring based on previously announced eligibility were also awarded at this time.

How will I know if an emergency grant has been posted to my account?

To view whether an emergency grant has been posted to your account, please access WVU MyAccount via the WVU Portal (instructions available on our WVU MyAccount Tutorials webpage). Then select “View Activity,” and select “Spring 2022.” The grant will appear in your account activity as “ARPA Emergency Grant.”

I am a graduate or a professional student. Will I be considered for the Spring 2022 ARPA Emergency Grant?

Graduate and professional students who meet the outlined eligibility criteria will be considered.

I am a student enrolled in a WVU Online program. Will I be considered for the Spring 2022 ARPA Emergency Grant?

Yes. Students enrolled in WVU Online programs who meet the outlined eligibility criteria will be considered.

I am an international student. Will I be considered for the Spring 2022 ARPA Emergency Grant?

Yes. Eligible international students will receive an email from the Office of Global Affairs with a link to an application they may submit for consideration.

I did not yet submit a 2021-2022 FAFSA but still wish to be considered for the ARPA Emergency Grant. Can I still submit a FAFSA?

Yes. If you have not yet submitted a FAFSA but still wish to be reviewed for spring emergency grant eligibility, please submit a FAFSA no later than January 26, 2022. Please ensure that WVU’s School Code (003827) is listed on the FAFSA as a school you wish to receive your FAFSA information.

If eligible, when will I receive my emergency grant?

Awarding of this phase of the Spring 2022 ARPA Emergency Grant will begin the week of January 17, 2022 and will be completed in phases over a series of weeks. The University will work to keep students up-to-date on the latest emergency grant information.

If you are signed up for direct deposit via WVU’s refund platform, the Nelnet Refund Portal, you will receive your grant via direct deposit, if applicable. If no direct deposit information is available, the University will mail the grant to you, if applicable.

If I choose for my emergency grant to apply to an outstanding balance, can I change my mind?

No. Once WVU receives indication that you'd like your grant to apply to your outstanding balance, the process to apply the funds to your balance begins and cannot be reversed.

What if my family’s financial situation has drastically changed since I submitted the 2021-2022 FAFSA?

In order to prioritize students with the greatest financial need, this round of grants will be based on non-Pell recipients’ Expected Family Contribution (EFC) as determined by the 2021-2022 FAFSA. Students whose financial situation has been drastically changed since 2020 (the tax year reported on the 2021-2022 FAFSA) may submit a Family Contribution Appeals. FCAs must be submitted by January 26, 2022 for priority consideration.

Conditions that may be considered for an FCA are loss or reduction of income (including but not limited to loss of employment, reduction of pay, death of a parent or spouse, and reduction/loss of child support), divorce or separation, high medical and/or dental expenses paid out-of-pocket, and impact by a natural disaster. Please note that if your EFC is "zero," you are already eligible for the maximum amount of aid and submitting an FCA would not necessarily be beneficial. In addition, submitting an FCA does not guarantee a change in your EFC.

What is an Expected Family Contribution (EFC)?

Your Expected Family Contribution (EFC) is a number created by the U.S. Department of Education after you submit a FAFSA. When determining your EFC, the department considers information provided on your FAFSA such as income, assets, family size, where you live, and the number of children your family has in college.

Despite the name, your EFC is not what you are actually expected to contribute financially to your education. Your EFC determines how much need-based financial aid you may be eligible to receive. By reviewing students for the Spring 2022 ARPA Emergency Grant based on their EFC, WVU is prioritizing students with the greatest financial need.

Where can I find my EFC?

Your EFC can be found on your Student Aid Report (SAR), which is sent to you by Federal Student Aid after you submit your FAFSA for the aid year. If you don’t have your SAR email on hand, you can also access a copy online using these instructions:

  1. Go to the Federal Student Aid website
  2. Click “Log In”
  3. Click the “I am the student” option
  4. Enter your Federal Student Aid ID (FSA ID) to log in
  5. Accept the terms of usage (if prompted)
  6. Make sure you are viewing the correct aid year’s tab
  7. Scroll to the “You can also” section
  8. Click on the link to “View or Print your Student Aid Report (SAR)”
  9. Your EFC will show at the top right of your SAR

Who qualifies for a Spring 2022 ARPA Emergency Grant?

Emergency grant consideration will be given to eligible WVU students who are seeking a degree at any WVU campus. Students must have a 2021-2022 FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) on file with WVU, with a valid Expected Family Contribution, by January 26, 2022 for priority consideration.

In order to prioritize students with the greatest financial need, this round of grants will be based on students’ Expected Family Contribution (EFC) as determined by the 2021-2022 FAFSA.

  • Eligible recipients of the Federal Pell Grant with an EFC of zero who are enrolled at least half-time may receive a spring emergency grant of $1,500.
  • Eligible recipients of the Federal Pell Grant with an EFC greater than zero who are enrolled at least half-time may receive a spring emergency grant of $1,000.
  • Eligible non-Pell recipients with an EFC of zero to $10,000 who are enrolled at least half-time may receive a spring emergency grant of $750.
  • Eligible non-Pell recipients with an EFC of $10,001 to $20,000 who are enrolled at least half-time may receive a spring emergency grant of $500.
  • Eligible recipients of the Federal Pell Grant with an EFC of zero who are enrolled less than half-time may receive a spring emergency grant of $750.
  • Eligible recipients of the Federal Pell Grant with an EFC greater than zero who are enrolled less than half-time may receive a spring emergency grant of $500.
  • Eligible non-Pell recipients with an EFC of zero to $10,000 who are enrolled less than half-time may receive a spring emergency grant of $375.
  • Eligible non-Pell recipients with an EFC of $10,001 to $20,000 who are enrolled less than half-time may receive a spring emergency grant of $250.

In mid-March 2022, the University awarded the remainder of its ARPA funds based on spring enrollment. Domestic students who had already received a spring 2022 ARPA emergency grant, were attending at least half-time and maintained all other eligibility requirements received a 50% increase to their previous spring grant.

  • Eligible recipients of the Federal Pell Grant with an EFC of zero may receive an additional $750.
  • Eligible recipients of the Federal Pell Grant with an EFC greater than zero may receive an additional $500.
  • Eligible non-Pell recipients with an EFC of zero to $10,000 may receive an additional $375.
  • Eligible non-Pell recipients with an EFC of $10,001 to $20,000 may receive an additional $250.
  • Students who were newly eligible for spring based on previously announced eligibility were also awarded at this time.

Graduate and professional students who meet the outlined eligibility criteria will be considered. International students will be reviewed for eligibility by Global Affairs based on their previously submitted application.

Related questions:

Will students from all WVU campuses be reviewed for a Spring 2022 ARPA Emergency Grant?

Yes. Students from all WVU campuses and WVU Online will be reviewed for eligibility if they meet the eligibility criteria and submitted a 2021-2022 FAFSA by January 26, 2022.

Will the Spring 2022 ARPA Emergency Grant automatically apply to the balance due on my account?

No, this emergency grant will not automatically apply to any outstanding balance. It is your choice if you would like to use your emergency grant to make a payment on your balance due, if applicable. WVU will reach out ahead of time to recipients of the grant who owe a balance to ask if they would like their grant to pay toward their balance due instead of receiving it as a refund.

Will there be additional emergency financial assistance available for future semesters?

The University is continuing to monitor what funds may be available for future semesters; however, at this time, no further emergency grant funding is expected. Students and families will be notified as soon as possible if further emergency financial assistance may be granted.