BHSU students to receive funds from federal CARES Act

Three female BHSU students sitting on the campus green and talking

Students at Black Hills State University can

now apply for funding to help cover expenses

caused by the pandemic. The funds, allocated

by the Department of Education as a result of

the CARES Act, are designated to assist students

with expenses incurred during this semester

when classes were unexpectedly moved online.

Students at Black Hills State University can now apply for funding to help cover expenses caused by the pandemic. The CARES Act Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund allocated $757,487 to BHSU for student emergency assistance.
 
The funds, allocated by the Department of Education as a result of the CARES Act, are designated to assist students with expenses incurred during this semester when classes were unexpectedly moved online. CARES funding will also be available for the Fall 2020 semester. BHSU, along with the other South Dakota Board of Regents universities, recently announced they are making plans to have fall classes on campus.
 
More than 700 eligible students were notified about the availability of funding by email last week. The funds are being distributed to students with the highest financial need as identified by their FAFSA record. Money can be used for housing, food, course materials, technology, childcare and other educational related expenses. 
 
In addition to this distribution, BHSU has reserved 10 percent of the university’s CARES funds in an emergency fund for students who have been severely affected and have financial need. All BHSU students who are Title IV eligible (generally, this means those students who receive some form of federal financial aid) are eligible to apply for these additional funds.
 
“We are moving quickly to get these funds to our students who have financial need,” President Laurie S. Nichols said. “We know the pandemic has caused unexpected expenses and, in some cases, a loss of income for our students. The federal CARES dollars will be disbursed quickly to assist students.”
 
Nichols noted that students who are eligible were notified last week and that the students must fill out a brief form to apply for the funds.
 
The CARES Act is an economic relief package that provides direct economic assistance for American workers, families, small businesses, and nonprofit organizations.
 
Details and links to the form are available at www.BHSU.edu/covid. Contact Kim.Nida@BHSU.edu or 605-642-6113 for details. 

In addition to the CARES funds, BHSU continues to raise money for additional relief and scholarships for students. BHSU is joining the global effort Giving Tuesday on May 5 to respond to the unprecedented need caused by COVID-19. Gifts can be made by texting BHcares to 41444 or online at www.BHSUFoundation.org