TU Student Emergency Funds

The Student Emergency Grant Fund assists TU students who are experiencing an exceptional financial crisis that impedes their academic progress and success.

We are currently focusing these grants on expenses related to coronavirus disruptions such as food, housing, course materials, technology, health care, relocation to return home and child care.  

These grants are funded from the following sources:

  • The Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act Higher Education Emergency Relief (HEERF) funds.
  • We also have a limited amount of additional funding from the Towson University Foundation Student Emergency and Food Insecurity Grant and some additional funding from TU vendor contracts.

Students should also explore other resources, including borrowing any remaining federal student loan eligibility.

Application Process

Submit the online application. We will review your eligibility and demonstrated need and will award funds on a case-by-case basis.

Please complete the entire application truthfully and in its entirety.  Completion of this application does not guarantee that funding will be awarded.  For fastest refunds, if you haven’t already done so, please follow these DOC Account instructions to sign up for electronic refunds with the Bursars Office.

Eligible and ineligible Expenses

Eligible Expenses
  • Current medical and medication expenses
  • housing, food, and toiletry expenses
  • safety needs — emergency lock changes, emergency vehicle repairs
  • replacement of essential belongings, due to fire, theft, or natural disaster
  • travel costs related to traveling home or travel related to the death or illness of an immediate family member
  • additional educational expenses related to TU’s change to online classes
  • helping with expenses related to lost or reduced employment
Ineligible Expenses
  • tuition and fees
  • parking tickets
  • credit card debt
  • student loans or any kind of loan debt
  • health insurance
  • study abroad costs
  • non-essential utilities (cable)
  • home furnishings not related to damage or theft
  • entertainment, recreation or non-emergency travel
  • expenditures resulting from poor financial management

 

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is Eligible?

You must be a current degree-seeking student, enrolled at least half time in the spring 2020 semester, and must have been impacted by the COVID-19 disruptions. Funding is limited and, therefore, prioritized for students who have exhausted all their funding options. 

There are additional more restrictive requirements for the federal CARES Grants, but if you are not eligible for those funds we may be able to approve your request from our other funding sources.

How can I apply?

Eligible students may apply online until all funds are exhausted.

What types of expenses can I apply for?

Eligible expenses include, but are not necessarily limited to, medical, food, housing, utilities, technology expenses, relocation costs to return home, unexpected childcare, course materials, and other unexpected expenses.

What types of expenses are ineligible?   

We can’t approve grants for unpaid TU charges including tuition or fees, past due credit card payments, non-essential utilities, entertainment, recreation, non-emergency travel or other non-essential expenses.

How will I know if my application is funded?

You will be notified via your Towson University email.  

How much funding can I get?

Award amounts will vary based on each student’s unique circumstances and financial need.

Do I have to repay the grant funds?

No.  You will not need to repay these grant funds.

How long before I am notified if I am awarded a CARES Grant?

Although we anticipate a large volume of applications, our goal is to provide funding decisions in about 10 business days depending upon the sufficiency of your application.

How will I receive the funding?

This grant award will be deposited directly into your Bank Mobile/Disbursement Online Center Account or mailed to you in the form of a rebate check. The check will be sent directly from a central processing facility in approximately ten to fifteen business-days. If you have not signed up for a Bank Mobile/Disbursement Online Center (DOC) account, please do so now using these rebate instructions. Choosing electronic fund transfer in Bank Mobile is the fastest way to receive your award.

Would this funding reduce my other financial aid? 

No, approved awards will not cause any reductions in your other financial aid for 2019-20 or 2020-21.

Are the Emergency Grants taxable?

IRS Publication 970 explains that grants and scholarships can be taxable if your total grants, scholarships, and tuition waivers from all sources exceed your Qualified Expenses.  Qualified Expenses include tuition, mandatory course fees, and required books and supplies.  Grants from the TU Foundation or other TU funds will definitely count toward these total aid calculations.  The U.S. Treasury Department has not provided any guidance yet on whether the CARES Grant funds will count as aid.

If I need more funding, can I reapply?

Yes.  You can submit one application each funding cycle or until funds have been exhausted.

If I have a balance on my student account, will my grant automatically be applied to my balance?

No, your grant will be refunded to you, even if you have a balance. If you would like to use your refund to pay your balance, you may do so after you receive your refund. 

What are the CARES Grant Eligibility Requirements?

To receive federal CARES Grants students must meet the following requirements: 

  • Students must have filed a 2019-20 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and must have met all the basic eligibility requirements to receive federal Title IV Financial Aid.

  • Graduate students in certain fully online TU programs are not eligible for these funds

Who can I email or call for questions?

For questions please call 410-704-2270 or email .