Fairmont State Prepares to Distribute Federal Emergency Funding to Eligible Students

Fairmont State University has received additional funding under the Federal CARES Act to provide emergency relief to students facing financial hardships as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.  

Based on criteria provided by the Department of Education, there are several factors that will determine student eligibility. Students must be Title IV eligible and considered among the greatest of need based on financial standing to receive a CARES Act Grant.  

In order for the University to determine student eligibility, Fairmont State students must:  

• Submit a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) for the 2020-2021 academic year. 
• Be eligible for Title IV aid (e.g. Pell, Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant, Work Study, etc.) for the 2020-2021 award year.  
• Be an eligible citizen or eligible non-citizen.   
• Be registered with the Selective Service (if born male).   
• Not be in default on a prior student loan or owe a grant overpayment.  
• Be making satisfactory academic progress.    
• Be enrolled at least half-time (defined as 6 credit hours or more).  
• Be admitted as a regular, degree-seeking student.  

Fairmont State University students meeting the outlined criteria may apply at www.fairmontstate.edu/CARESapp by March 15, 2021. There may be additional awards granted for the spring semester if funds remain after the deadline has passed.  

Due to limited funding and developing guidance from the Department of Education, all students submitting grant applications are not guaranteed approval for a CARES Act Grant. The University’s Office of Financial Aid is committed to assisting all students and will work to ensure all efforts are exhausted to provide support for students facing financial hardships.  

“This pandemic has been hard on all of us, but nobody has felt the sting more keenly than our most vulnerable students,” said Mirta M. Martin, Fairmont State University President. “Because Fairmont State is so dedicated to providing a quality, transformative education to all who seek it, we have a high percentage of first-generation students, West Virginia natives and students who face economic insecurity. I’m so happy that through additional CARES Act funding, those students most in need can get additional financial support to keep their educational dreams on track.” 

Fairmont State continues to seek guidance from the federal government and will notify students and families if the Cares Act award criteria are revised, as directed by the Department of Education. 

CARES Act GrantCOVID-19 pandemicMirta Martin