Missouri State University-West Plains began its $480,000 payout of emergency financial aid authorized by the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act on Thursday, April 30.

Immediate Assistance Grants sent to qualifying students

The first phase of the university’s relief plan totals approximately $166,000 in Immediate Assistance Grants. The university sent $250 to students who meet all of the following criteria:

• Currently enrolled as an undergraduate, degree-seeking student at MSU-WP.
• Not enrolled exclusively in an online program on March 13, 2020.
• Have an expected family contribution of less than $12,001.
• Eligible to participate in programs under Section 484 in Title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965.

Students can apply for Emergency Assistance Grants

Phase two of the plan includes approximately $314,000 to be paid through Emergency Assistance Grants.

The COVID-19 Emergency Assistance Grant is designed to provide emergency financial aid grants to students for expenses related to the disruption of campus operations due to coronavirus.

Grants will be awarded to assist students who are experiencing financial hardship caused or exacerbated by the coronavirus pandemic. Grants may be awarded to students who meet all of the following criteria:

• Currently enrolled as a degree-seeking student at Missouri State-West Plains.
• Eligible to participate in programs under Section 484 in Title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965.
• Not enrolled exclusively in an online program on March 13, 2020.
• Have documented financial need or hardship due to coronavirus (e.g., substantial expenditures or loss of income, low expected family contribution, inability to pay for expenses included in the cost of attendance, etc.).
• Have made reasonable use of other sources of support.

Applications are due May 15

Beginning Monday, May 4, students may apply for a COVID-19 Emergency Assistance Grant by submitting a completed application by May 15. Applicants who have not already submitted a 2019-2020 FAFSA form also must submit a FAFSA form to verify Title IV eligibility.

To apply, students should:

• Log into MyGrizzlyDen.MissouriState.edu
• Click on the “My Enrollment” tab located on the top ribbon of the portal.
• Find the “Financial Aid Awards” section (located at the top right).
• Click on CARES Act Emergency Relief Application.

Students with questions should contact the office of financial aid at WPFinancialAid@MissouriState.edu or 417-255-7243.

More information is available on Missouri State-West Plains’ CARES Act FAQ website.

Eligibility for these programs was established by the federal CARES Act.