Wright State: $5.2 million going directly back to students, funding from federal COVID-19 funds

FAIRBORN — Wright State University announced it will pay out more than $5.2 million in federal grant funds to more than 6,750 students this month as part of COVID-19 relief.

“We believe these funds will provide some financial relief to a broad range of spring 2021 students who experienced hardship as a result of COVID-19,” said Kim Everhart, director of financial aid.

The grants, which were provided through the Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund approved in December’s federal COVID-19 relief package approved by Congress, will begin going to students next week.

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The goal is to have all of the emergency financial grants directly to students by March 19.

The university will allocate the grants based on each student’s FAFSA, prioritizing those with exceptional financial needs. Nearly 43 percent of the 6,753 eligible students will receive the maximum grant of $1,100, the university said.

“We assume that all students seeking federal financial aid via the FAFSA have sought out financial assistance, and those needs could be greater given the national emergency,” Everhart said.

The university will automatically award any eligible students and each student who will receive the funding will receive an email explaining the details of the grant.

This latest grant program will be the second round of federal dollars sent to students. Last year, university officials said they sent out nearly $4.8 million from the CARES Act to students impacted by COVID-19.

Those eligible for this latest round of federal money include undergraduate and graduate students and students enrolled in the Boonshoft School of Medicine and the School of Professional Psychology.

“Students who are degree-seeking, enrolled at least half-time during the Spring 2021 Semester, are U.S. citizens or eligible non-citizens will receive funds,” the university said.

Wright State has an estimated 12,234 students enrolled in the university, school data shows.

Cox Media Group