Greetings,

The United States Congress recently passed the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act.  As a part of this legislation, colleges and universities have been allocated federal funds to provide emergency grants to students for expenses related to the disruption of campus operations due to coronavirus. 

We’ve been given parameters for distributing the emergency grants from the federal Education Department.

  1. The CARES Act funds are for Title IV eligible students only.  Tile IV eligible students are those that have filed a FAFSA, completed verification, and are not on Satisfactory Academic Progress Probation.
  2. Cares Act funds are for students who have expenses related to the disruption of campus operations due to coronavirus.
    • Housing – expenses related to moving off-campus or to a permanent residence
    • Food – unanticipated grocery bills due to cancellation of a meal plan
    • Course materials or technology – expanded internet connectivity or computer hardware/software/equipment necessary to complete coursework online
    • Other expenses directly related to the disruption of campus operations due to coronavirus
    • Cares Act funds you receive are considered taxable income.
    • Cares Act funds cannot be used for tuition related expenses or outstanding balances on your Concordia Student Account unless you choose to make a payment after you’ve received your funds.

The CARES Act Student Emergency Grant funds are very specifically to be used for expenses related to the disruption of campus operations due to coronavirus and therefore are being allocated separately from the emergency financial assistance process that was identified in the COVID-19 Student Support Form recently sent from Student Development & Campus Life.  Requests for funding made through the COVID-19 Student Support Form are currently being reviewed. 

The federal funds allocated to Concordia from the CARES Act and the institutional funds available to respond to the emergency financial assistance process in the COVID-19 Student Support Form are not able to cover every student’s full expenses unfortunately. 

CARES Act Student Emergency Grant Funds will be allocated in amounts ranging from $200-$725 based upon the Expected Family Contribution as calculated by the 2019-20 FAFSA.  We are currently awaiting access to the funding and will distribute to you as soon as we are able. 

The quickest way for you to receive your allocation of funding is by direct deposit through TouchNet.  Please be sure you have an active domestic bank account set up in TouchNet designated for refunding.  If you have previously set up an account, please be sure the account information is still current and correct.

To set up direct deposit through TouchNet:

  1. Log on to CobberNet at https://cobbernet.cord.edu
  2. Click on TouchNet at the top of the screen
  3. Click on “Payment Profile” from the My Profile Setup area on the right side
  4. If you have a saved payment method, click on the action button to edit and designate for refunding
  5. OR add a new payment method and designate it for refunding

If it is impossible for you to set up direct deposit through TouchNet, and you do not have an active direct deposit account in Payroll, a paper check will be mailed to your permanent home address on file. 

If you have questions regarding TouchNet, please email the Concordia Business Office businessoffice@cord.edu.

If you have questions about the CARES Act funding, please email the Concordia Financial Aid Office finaid@cord.edu.

If you have questions about the emergency financial assistance process in the COVID-19 Student Support Form, please email sdcl@cord.edu.