Although the Fall Relief Package will be offering aid to many Vaqueros, not all UTRGV students will be getting the help they need.
Material management and logistics junior, Arnulfo Picazo said he believes the Fall Relief Package is unfair to international students.
“As an international student I do not receive it, and I think it’s unfair because we are a big part of what UTRGV is, and what it stands for,” Picazo said. “So, the fact that they do not give us, a much-needed support because it is a crisis.”
In an email sent to Vaquero Radio last Saturday, associate vice-president for Strategic Enrollment Griselda Castilla said UTRGV has to abide by federal rules which disqualify international students for any eligibility for the Fall Relief Package.
“For the cash grants, like I mentioned those are CARES act funds that come from the federal government, so we have to abide by federal rules,” Castilla said.
According to a UTRGV website, the Fall Relief Package is designed to help students have funds to meet their needs before and after the semester begins.
Castilla said the Fall Relief Package is designed in two sections. The first one is a $1,000 cash grants for CARES act eligible students.
The second section is the tuition relief for non-CARES act eligible students who may receive up to $500 in aid and a zone one parking permit.
Castilla said for the CARES Act eligible students, the first $500 will be sent before the first day of class.
“And then, the second $500, will be going out after the 12th class day of the fall semester,” she said.
According to Castilla, non-CARES act eligible students will receive their grant through their Financial Aid tab on the awards section, which they will have to accept to receive it into their tuition.
For more information on the Fall Relief Package visit http://link.utrgv.edu/fall-relief/
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