CARES Act Funding

The University of Tennessee, Knoxville acknowledges it signed and returned to the U.S. Department of Education the Certification and Agreement on April 13, 2020, and gives the assurance that UT intends to use no less than 50% of the funds received under section 18004(a)(1) of the CARES Act to provide Emergency Financial Aid Grants to students.

1. The total amount of funds UT Knoxville received on April 24, 2020, from the U.S. Department of Education for distribution to students is $9,629,157.00.
2. The total amount of Emergency Financial Aid Grants distributed to students under section 18004(a)(1) of the CARES Act as of May 22, 2020, is $8,761,975.
3. The estimated total number of students at UT eligible to participate in programs under section 484 in Title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965 and thus eligible to receive Emergency Financial Aid Grants under section 18004(a)(1) of the Cares Act is 20,224.
4. The total number of students who received an Emergency Financial Aid Grant under section 18004(a)(1) of the CARES Act is 9,140 as of May 22, 2020.
5. The methods used to determine which and how much students receive Emergency Financial Aid Grants are as follows –
   • A currently enrolled undergraduate or graduate student for term of disbursement
   • Eligible for funding under a Title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965
   • Maximum total award per student is $1,800
   • Awards are prioritized based on student type and individual as explained below:
     • Student Type Prioritization Hierarchy
       • Pell eligible undergraduate students in on-campus housing/meal plans who did not receive university administered pro-rated refund;
       • Pell eligible undergraduate students;
       • Non-Pell eligible undergraduate students with maximum EFC up to 15,000;
       • Graduate students with maximum EFC up to 1,000;
     • Need Type Prioritization Hierarchy
       • Food;
       • Housing;
       • Educational Technology;
       • Health Care;
       • Child Care;
       • Other (books, transportation, relocation expenses related to COVID-19 disruption, etc).
   • The amount of need type awards is based on UT’s official cost of attendance and monthly allowances as outlined in the chart below.
     

     EXPENSE	EMERGENCY FUND	BLOCK GRANTS
     Child Care	$200
     Course Materials	$100
     Food/Meals	$500	$500
     Medical Expenses	$500
     Housing	$800	$800
     Technology	$200	$200
     Relocation Expenses	$300	$300
     Computer Purchase	$400
     Miscellaneous	$100

6. The instructions, directions, or guidance provided by UT to all students concerning the CARES grants were sent via University email and published on the University website. Instructions on how to complete our Student Emergency CARES Fund Application are provided on the UT Student Emergency Fund application