Auburn awarded $7.8 million in additional emergency student funding amid COVID-19 pandemic

Auburn has been awarded $7.8 million in additional federal emergency student funding to address certain COVID-19-related expenses. 

The funding, made possible from the U.S. Department of Education through the Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund, or HEERF II, marks the second round of such relief aid to Auburn in the past year to provide emergency help to students with financial needs due to COVID-19. The aid will be prioritized to students based on exceptional need as determined by the 2020-21 Free Application for Federal Student Aid, or FAFSA, form. The limited funding will remain open until all funds are spent.

Financial aid grants to approved students may be used toward emergency costs involving housing, health care, child care, food and tuition expenses. Funding also will be available to Auburn to defray other expenses associated with coronavirus, including lost revenue, technology costs associated with the transition to distance education, faculty and staff training, payroll and carrying out student support activities relating to COVID-19.

“It is wonderful that the university is able to supply emergency financial relief to our students in need through this additional Cares Act funding,” President Jay Gogue said. “Many of our students and their families have been negatively impacted in the last year because of COVID-19. It is my hope that this funding will enable these students to continue their studies and graduate from Auburn.”

Students interested in applying for such aid must first have on file with Auburn a completed 2020-21 FAFSA record with a calculated Expected Family Contribution, or EFC. Potential recipients must also be currently enrolled at Auburn for spring 2021 and must submit this HEERF II application. The HEERF II funding is not available for international students who are not U.S. citizens or eligible non-citizens.

Auburn anticipates a large volume of applications and will work to process those received as quickly as possible. The university’s goal is to fund eligible students within seven to 10 business days after an application is submitted. If approved, students will receive an email from Accounts Payable when their direct deposit has been processed. Students should note that a submitted application does not guarantee receipt of funds.