CARES Act Emergency Relief Grant

Federal regulations require schools to confirm that a student receiving any CARES Act Emergency Relief Grant meets the following requirements, including but not limited to: 

• Is a U.S. Citizen or an eligible non-citizen
• Has a valid Social Security number
• Is registered with Selective Service (males between the ages of 18 and 25)
• Is not in default on a federal student loan
• Does not owe money on a federal student grant
• Students who enrolled at least half-time during the Spring 2021 semester:
  • 6 units for LMU undergraduates
  • 3 units for LMU graduate students
  • 4 Loyola Law doctor of juridical science students
  • 4 units for Loyola Law JD evening students and law graduates
  • 6 units for Loyola Law JD day
  • 2 units for LMU doctoral students

The U.S. Department of Education does not allow these federal funds to be used for international students, undocumented students, non-matriculated students, or for exclusively online distance learning degree programs prior to March 13, 2020 start of the pandemic.

There is limited emergency institutional assistance through the Lion Emergency Fund for those who do not qualify for the CARES Act Emergency Relief Grant. Students may apply for one-time funding (maximum $500) by emailing the Dean of Students Office at deanofstudents@lmu.edu with the specific financial need and request. 

Undergraduate, Graduate and LMU Loyola Law Students who completed the 2020-2021 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and meet the eligibility requirements above must submit a CARES Act Emergency Relief Grant Application. Students are not required to have received federal aid to qualify. Financial Aid will review and determine an amount, if any, on a case-by-case basis.

Undergraduate, Graduate or LMU Loyola Law Students who are eligible to file a Free Application for Federal Student Aid FAFSA, but have not yet filed for 2020-2021, are encouraged to do so as soon as possible, as well as submit a CARES Act Emergency Relief Grant Application. Financial Aid will review and determine grant amounts, if any, on a case-by-case basis.

CARES Act funding from the U.S. Department of Education is specifically designated to assist students with economic hardships related to disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. These funds are meant to help students with expenses incurred during the Spring semester associated with the transition to online learning, housing, food and utilities, medical expenses, child care, technology, or other resources needed for online coursework. Students may be asked (and should be prepared to provide) receipts that such expenses were related to the coronavirus.

The intention of CARES Act funding is to assist as many students as possible for expenses associated with the transition to online learning caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. Financial Aid will review multiple CARES Act Emergency Relief Grant applications to ensure non-duplicated expenses and determine grant amounts, if any, on a case-by-case basis.

If you were selected for federal verification, you are required to complete all requested verification documentation listed in your PROWL (personal record online weblink) account.

The distribution of funds to eligible students will not be applied to past due, current, or future charges at the University. Students will receive an email from our partner, Deluxe Corporation (eCheck processor for Loyola Marymount University/Paymerang), notifying them of the funds and explaining how to access these funds. Please ensure that app@echecks.com is whitelisted in your email account so that this message does not go into your Spam folder. Whitelisting is a quick, one-time-only task to ensure the sender of an email gets added to the recipient’s address book or safe senders list.

This notification email will include a link to the Deluxe Corp. website, where students can retrieve a PDF file of their checks. There is no need to enter any personal information or create an account with Deluxe, and there is no fee to receive your check. Students have the option of printing the check on plain paper and taking it to the bank or depositing the check via a mobile banking app. There is no charge to download and print it as a Guest. However, a check can only be downloaded one time. 

We will assess funding levels and determine if limited funding is available for LMU Undergraduates, Graduates, and Loyola Law School students. This FAQ page will continue to be updated with relevant information as it becomes available.

This grant does not need to be listed as part of your income on your 2020 tax return.

Students and families who have experienced a significant change to their family’s circumstances associated with the COVID-19 pandemic may consider a 2020-21 Appeal and Special Circumstance Form available on the Financial Aid website here.

Since these funds can only be used for specific costs incurred as a result of the COVID-19 campus disruption, they will not affect future financial aid eligibility. These costs include food, housing, course materials, technology, health care, and childcare.

Please email Financial Aid here with “CARES Act” in the subject line.

For more information about Loyola Marymount University's response to the coronavirus pandemic, click here.