By Taylor Cripe
Earlier this week, Utah State University re-opened its application process to allow students affected by COVID-19 to apply for hardship funds.
The ability to apply on USU’s Division of Student Affairs website was muted for several weeks after the university received a surge of applicants following the school’s closure.
According to Utah State's vice president of student affairs, James Morales, the Student Emergency Hardship Fund is now Utah State University COVID-19 Emergency Hardship Resources and has shifted its criteria to meet the needs of students specifically affected by the pandemic.
“We don’t just give out money,” Morales said. “Based on their immediate needs, some students may get a dining card for free meals at USU instead.”
Fortunately for the second round of applicants, the odds of approval are high. Ninety-three percent of students who applied for the first round of funds were approved for some help by the university. However, Morales added that students should exhaust all other possibilities before applying.
“If you are coming to us first, we may ask you to look for help elsewhere,” he said.
Hardship criteria includes situations like students losing a job, large medical bills or their parents getting hours cut at work. For the foreseeable future, the hardship must be linked to COVID-19.
For students like junior Amy Cox, the university’s decision to re-open the application process provided a ray of hope in a difficult situation.
“I was so disappointed when they closed the website a few weeks ago,” Cox said. “At the moment I have essentially no money.”
Cox, whose job included short-term gigs like tutoring and catering, was immediately affected by business shutdowns around the state.
“I’m behind on my last tuition installment and I’m not sure what I’m going to do about rent next month,” she said.
Cox applied for the COVID-19 Emergency Hardship Fund as soon as it opened and hopes to hear back within the week.
Another student, junior Maddie Soto, received around $700 from the emergency fund and said getting the money meant the world to her.
“I’ll get the government stimulus check, but even that won’t be enough to make up for unemployment,” Soto said. “Every little bit helps.”
According to Soto, students are required to submit receipts as proof of payment for living expenses and asked to write a thank you note to their donor.
“Students should understand this is a one-time thing,” Morales said. “It’s meant to help with immediate needs so students can get back on their feet and figure out what they are going to do.”
According to USU’s website $20,442 has been raised for the COVID-19 student fund so far. However, according to Morales, this is just one segment of the funds supplied by the university, as well as generous donations from faculty and alumni.
“We have been doing this for seven years,” he said. “Each year the need grows and each year the university tries to give more money to help students.”
Although funds are limited and not every student will benefit, Morales said students should remember everyone is in this together.
“This is unprecedented for all of us,” he said. “But there will be an end to this, and we will get past it.”
After getting approved for funding, Morales said students should hear back within the week, but advised that students with direct deposit may get money quicker. The amount of money allocated for students is also on a case-by-case basis.
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