CThe University of Guam is set to receive up to $4.5 million in grant funding from the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security, or CARES, Act.
According to the school website, $2.3 million of the $4.5 million will be reserved for UOG students who have had financial disruptions to their education because of the coronavirus.
“In this context, a disruption is a change in the way education is delivered to students as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Jonas Macapinlac, the Chief Marketing and Communications Officer under the office of the president.
“For example, the closure of the UOG campus made it necessary for UOG to shift the delivery of courses from face-to-face to online.”
In terms of the remaining $2.2 million, UOG is awaiting further guidance from the U.S. Department of Education on allowable expenditures.
“Eligible students can expect between $400 to $700 in direct grant aid depending on full time or part tome status as defined by the UOG Undergraduate Catalog and Graduate Bulletin,” Macapinlac said.
Students who have applied for FAFSA and received confirmation of a filed and valid FAFSA will be eligible and will be the first to receive funds.
For students who have not or do not apply for FAFSA, UOG will have to verify eligibility before releasing funds.
According to Macapinlac, students who were enrolled in a fully online degree program or who were taking online classes since the start of the Fañomnåkan 2020 semester are not eligible for the CARES ACT grant funds.
Considered direct grants from the federal government, eligible students will not be required to pay back any money and will be exempt from any taxation.
“Several higher education groups have sent a letter to Treasurer Secretary Steve Mnuchin and Internal Revenue Service Commissioner Charles Rettig, urging them to ensure the emergency grant aid allocated to college students during the global coronavirus pandemic is not treated as taxable income,” Macapinlac said.
On Friday May 1, 2020, the Business Office began the processing of payments to eligible students, who will receive funds through direct deposit or by mail.
Student Impact
Ashley Flores, an accounting major at UOG, said that the financial assistance is something that would benefit her.
“This financial assistance is definitely something that would aid in the financial problems and could help fund my upcoming summer classes,” said Flores. “I wouldn’t need to worry about trying to make up for the money lost in order to attend classes this coming summer. It is great to see that the university is trying to help its students get through these tough times.”
For more information, students may email the Financial Aid office at finaid@triton.uog.edu or the Bursar’s Office at bursar@triton.uog.edu.