CARES & TESF Funding Still Available
Carnegie Mellon recognizes that the COVID-19 pandemic continues to create financial hardships for many of our students and families.
As we near the end of the fall semester and the beginning of a longer-than-usual Winter Break, we want to remind CMU students that dedicated financial resources from the federal CARES Act Relief Fund and CMU’s Tartan Emergency Support Fund are available for undergraduate and graduate students.
Students may seek support from both funds as needed, and the grants – which are not loans and do not need to be repaid – can be used to address financial concerns or unusual personal expenses incurred as a result of disruptions caused by COVID-19.
CARES Act Relief
In spring 2020, the federal government created the CARES Act relief package, which includes a fund for emergency student grants for U.S. citizens or permanent residents who are eligible for federal financial aid. While these funds cannot be applied directly to your student account, they can be used to help cover student expenses related to disruptions of campus operations due to COVID-19, such as housing, food, course materials, technology, health care and/or child care. Students interested in applying for CARES funding are encouraged to contact their HUB liaison for assistance.
Tartan Emergency Support Fund (TESF)
Regardless of eligibility for the CARES Act funding, the Tartan Emergency Support Fund (TESF) is available to all CMU students. In spring 2020, the CMU Alumni Association and Office of the Dean of Students partnered to establish the TESF, which offers alternative financial assistance to all students in acute need and to bridge the gap at this critical time. Alumni, parents, faculty, staff and friends have generously donated to support the university's COVID-19 response, including gifts to the TESF. In addition, student leaders have reallocated funds from student government and organization budgets to TESF, as well as to the university's food insecurity fund.
The food insecurity fund supports the CMU Pantry, which is committed to reducing hunger among students by providing nutritious food and other items at no cost. In response to COVID-19, the Pantry has modified its operations to serve the needs of the CMU community. Learn more on the CMU Pantry website.
Students interested in applying for TESF funding are encouraged to contact their HUB liaison for assistance.
The Pantry is taking orders through an online form and preparing food in bags for pick up. Pick up hours are listed on the Pantry website through January 24.
As COVID cases increase at an alarming rate throughout the country and world, we know this remains a difficult time for the CMU community. CMU can offer help and support to our students and families. Your HUB Liaison is available to provide individualized counsel to you and your families.