CARES Act

Dear Students,

We realize the past several weeks have been difficult as we have all been tasked with navigating the financial and logistical challenges brought about by the COVID-19 crisis. Over the past weeks and months, we have heard from many students about the financial hardships encountered by Juniata families through the pandemic crisis.  As this unprecedented semester draws to a close, I wanted to make you aware of some recent events in financial aid for students.

Signed into law March 27, 2020, the Federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act authorized the U.S. Department of Education to provide funding for universities and colleges to award in the form of emergency financial aid grants to eligible students.

Most students are eligible to receive a one-time, student aid grant from Juniata College through the Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund (HEERF) CARES Act. In accord with the agreement between Juniata College and the US Department of Education, the funds are for students’ expenses related to the disruption of campus operations due to coronavirus, such as food, housing, course materials, technology, health care, and travel expenses. These funds do not impact your current financial aid awards or any financial aid awarded to you in the future.

The Department of Education & Juniata College has determined that funds will be distributed through a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) eligibility-based funding formula.  Undergraduate students who completed the FAFSA in 2019/20 will receive funding.  Students will receive their grants via direct deposit.  Students who were employed on campus during the 2019-2020 academic year will receive their grants to the bank account on file with Payroll unless otherwise specified by the student. Students who were not employed on campus must complete the ACH/Direct Deposit Form and return it to the Business Office via encrypted email through Juniata Webmail to receive the funds. We plan to begin distributing these funds to eligible students within the next several weeks.

Additionally, a portion of the grant funding is reserved for students who did not complete the FAFSA, but could have completed it, who indicate unusual or mitigating circumstances/expenses, but did not receive a grant.  In these cases, students will need to petition the Office of Student Financial Planning in writing regarding the nature of the need based on COVID-19 impact; petitions may be made via email to financialplanning@juniata.edu beginning May 18, 2020.  Each petition will be reviewed by the Director or Assistant Director of Student Financial Planning on a case-by-case basis.

Under the current policy set forth by the Department of Education, international students are ineligible to receive federal financial assistance.

We appreciate your patience as we work to get these funds processed in a timely manner.  If you have any questions or concerns, please contact financialplanning@juniata.edu or bursarsoffice@juniata.edu.

Respectfully,
Tracie M. Patrick
Director of Student Financial Planning