The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act was passed by Congress and signed into law to provide economic relief from COVID-19. The CARES Act includes a Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund (HEERF) and is authorized by the American Rescue Plan (ARP). It allows allocated funding to be used for emergency grants to students for expenses related to the disruption of campus operations as a result of the coronavirus.
Princeton Theological Seminary has signed and returned the certification and agreement form and intends to use the funds to provide the mandated amount of at least 50% of the emergency financial aid grants to students.
PTS Quarterly Budget and Expenditure Reporting (PDF)
Funds received from CARES Act and ARP-HEERF: $295,175
Emergency Financial Aid Grants distributed to students under the CARES Act and ARP-HEERF: $290,780
Estimated number of students eligible: 400
Number of awards to students to date: 184
How are funds distributed? PTS designed an application in June 2020, and a review committee was created to review applications and determine eligibility, and distribute awards, beginning in July 2020.
Am I eligible for CARES Act funds?
Applicant must have been a currently enrolled student as of March 13, 2020. This funding is only for students experiencing temporary financial hardship resulting from disruptions from COVID-19 and resulting implications. Applicants may be asked to provide documentation based on their unique situation. Applicants must also be making satisfactory academic progress, not be in default on a federal loan, not received federal loans fraudulently in excess of annual or aggregate limits, and not have a federal or state conviction for drug possession or sale.
What are some examples of circumstances that are considered emergencies relating to COVID-19?
How do I apply?
Please complete an application to begin the review process. The application is only available to users with an @ptsem.edu email. Students can access the application form with their inside.ptsem.edu login and password. A committee will meet to review applications submitted by students who will then be notified when funds are awarded.
When can I apply for CARES Act funds?
Eligible students may apply online beginning April 30 through June 30, 2020, or until all funds are exhausted.
I am an international student or a DACA student, not a citizen of the United States. Am I eligible for a CARES Act grant?
Unfortunately, Congress did not make CARES Act funding available for these students. However, you may still complete the application form, and if institutional funding from Princeton Theological Seminary is available you may be able to receive assistance in that way.
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