Due to the financial impact of COVID-19, many students received money from Southern and even the government.
According to the Chattanooga Times Free Press, Southern is one of the institutions in eastern Tennessee that received government funds as a response to COVID-19 and the financial effects to the university. The university received $2.44 million of which $1.21 million is designated to help students who qualify for emergency financial grants.
Administration created a formula that took into consideration housing, food, travel, Expected Family Contribution (EFC) and general supply, said Doug Frood, executive director of budgeting and financial analysis. The formula produced a number that the university then scaled according to each student’s EFC in regards to FAFSA. The number represents the financial need of each student, which helped the university determine how much money each individual would get.
According to Paula Walters, director of student finance, this money was “automatically granted to 1,300 students who automatically qualified” according to the formula and their FAFSA applications.
Of the remaining money granted by the government, $1.2 million was designated by the university to further help students who need it most and to make required adjustments to campus in order for students to return in the fall.
“We are probably going to use some of that money to purchase things in order to [reopen the university],” Frood said.
Such funds were sent to students who qualified but also applied to receive money from the university. The amount of money received varied depending on the need reflected in each application apart from the grants they had already received.
However, none of the money granted was given to students who did not fill out a FAFSA application.
According to the government, “this money was only usable for students who are U.S. citizens,” Frood said. “So there is a disadvantage for DACA students and international students.”
The university, however, is trying to find a way to help these students through its own funds and donor dollars.
Although the university has also been impacted by COVID-19, it is making efforts to help its students as much as possible.
“Although it might not be much, I hope this makes a difference for [the students],” Frood said.
DACA students and international students can email their applications to the Director of Student Finance in order to be considered.
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