Although the Student Emergency Fund was exhausted in the summer, students can reapply for financial assistance once all Fall Relief Package cash grants are distributed.
According to associate vice-president for Strategic Enrollment, Griselda Castilla, more than 6,000 students have been financially assisted, which estimates to $5 million.
Castilla said the last set of awards the university was able to do was at the end of the July.
“So, the majority of our requests were the month of April and May,” Castilla said. “That’s when our students were having the greatest challenges because that is when they and their families began, being furloughed laid off, you know, hours reduced and so forth.”
According to the UTRGV website, the purpose of the Student Emergency Fund is to provide financial assistance to enrolled students who are experiencing a sudden emergency, accident, or unforeseen event.
Castilla said funds come primarily from donations
“So, it comes from individuals that want to provide funding to our students or other agencies that want to provide funding to institutions, to assist students with unusual circumstances,” she said.
Students such as history senior Kris Garcia did not get the financial help due to the funds being exhausted.
Garcia said the aid was going to help her get back on her feet with payments but understands the circumstances.
“I do know that there’s a lot of students that are probably, like, in worse situations than me,” Garcia said. “You know, knowing that the funds have been exhausted, that means that a lot of students are on the same boat and probably, you know, they’re facing worst circumstances throughout this crisis.”
Castilla said students can reapply as soon as the semester begins, and students receive the cash grants available from the Fall Relief Package.
“We will reassess the application and any donations that we may have received to assist students that have other mitigating circumstances beyond COVID-19,” she said.
For more information on the Student Emergency Fund, visit UTRGV.edu
