Dear Students,
In order to address the continued needs of students during the COVID-19 pandemic, we are writing to provide updates about funding resources available to students experiencing financial hardship during this time.
As you may know, the federal government responded in March of 2021 by providing a third round of financial support to students and institutions of higher education within the American Rescue Plan (ARP). This legislation, and the accompanying regulations issued by the Department of Education on May 11, directed Georgetown to allocate $8,372,270 to students in emergency financial aid grants.
Georgetown allocated this evenly between undergraduate and graduate students, and disbursed nearly $7 million in student emergency grants in early June of 2021. Some funds were held in reserve for appeals and for awards in the next academic year, including slightly more than $700,000 for undergraduate students. We will also distribute approximately the same amount for graduate students. We write now to share our plans for disbursing those funds.
Over 1,000 Georgetown undergraduate students with financial need will receive grants of $700 through this action. Grants will be awarded to students with Estimated Family Contributions (EFCs) of $15,000 or less, based on student financial information about need, as determined by the Office of Student Financial Services (OSFS).
Eligible students will receive a separate email from the University later today and do not need to take any action at this time to receive the funds, other than reviewing their direct deposit and permanent address information.
Students who are not awarded an emergency relief grant through this action either have an EFC of over $15,000 or have not completed the requirements articulated by the OSFS for packaging of their financial aid award. Students will have until Friday, October 15, to write to 2021-cares-act@georgetown.edu to request reconsideration for an award.
Appeals and newly completed applications submitted by October 15 will be reviewed and processed by October 29, and any additional approved awards will be made the first week of November.
Students with questions regarding these grants should review our Frequently Asked Questions before contacting 2021-cares-act@georgetown.edu.
As we all adapt to the new and ongoing stresses of the pandemic, we hope that you continue to find support in the Georgetown community.
Sincerely,
Jeanne Lord, Ed.D.
Interim Vice President for Student Affairs and Dean of Students
Patricia A. McWade
Dean of Student Financial Services