Dear Alvernia Students and Parents,
I hope this letter finds you healthy and safe during this challenging time. Please know that you continue to be not only in my thoughts and prayers but in those of our dedicated faculty and staff as well.
Circumstances have required that the University’s physical facilities remain closed to ensure the health and safety of our students, faculty, staff, the Bernardine Sisters and the communities we serve. We are adhering to federal, state and local guidance – and related closure orders – as we continue to fulfill our academic mission remotely.
I am grateful for the swift action and adaptability of both our faculty and students, which has allowed learning to continue in a remote environment. Despite this success, we know that the impacts of COVID-19 go well beyond academic programming. This time is difficult for everyone, but many of our Alvernia students and their families are suffering significant and unprecedented financial repercussions. In response, the University has developed a financial support program to assist students struggling to fund their continued education.
In our Bernardine Franciscan tradition of serving those in need, we have created the Presidential Hope Fund. The Fund includes amounts allocated to the University through the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act as well as additional university funds which totals over $3 million of resources available to help families in need. All CARES Act funding will go directly to students. Listed below is how the Presidential Hope Fund will be initially utilized.
1.) For residential students who had their spring living experience affected by the repercussions of COVID-19, $1,225 of CARES act funds will be paid in cash directly to you to help with food, housing, course materials, technology or other related expenses. In addition, the University will provide a matching, non-taxable credit of $1,225 to your account (to clear an outstanding balance or to be applied for summer or fall charges) as reimbursement for a portion of the cost of room and board for the spring semester for a total of $2,450 in financial resources.
2.) To accelerate the Class of 2020’s approach to the job market, for any graduating student with an outstanding balance as of May 1, 2020, the university will credit your account up to $2,000 through Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant Emergency Awards and university funds. Complete the Graduating Student Application to request this aid.
3.) The Hope Fund is available to all students (undergraduate, graduate and adult) to assist families catch up on their account balances due to the disruption and economic consequences of the COVID-19 Pandemic and to ensure continued learning. Funding requests will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis. To maximize the number of students benefiting from Hope Fund emergency matching grant and other aid under the Hope Fund program, grants will be awarded up to a maximum of $5,000. Students can apply for a Hope Fund matching grant to receive a matching grant of up to $2 for every $1 paid on an open account balance as of May 1, 2020. Other need-based grants will also be considered. To qualify, all payments must be applied to your account by May 29, 2020. Complete the Hope Fund Grant Application to request this aid.
The University’s Hope Fund committee will review eligible requests and determine award amounts. If you have any questions regarding the form or the Hope Fund, please contact our Hope Fund team at Presidential.Aid@alvernia.edu. We will also be reaching out to students and families over the coming days to help you make your request for resources.
I wish you all the best during these difficult times. Please take care of yourselves and take pride in your commitment to your future as you persevere through to the end of this semester. We look forward to seeing you on campus soon.
Stay safe,
John R. Loyack
President
Dear Alvernia Students,
We hope this letter finds you and your family safe during this time.
To provide timely delivery of the first wave of Presidential Hope Fund financial resources to our students and families in need, Alvernia is instituting a deadline for grant requests.
All Graduating Student Grant and Hope Fund Grant requests must be submitted by 5 p.m. on Wednesday, May 13.
Graduating students can click here to submit a Graduating Student Application.
All Alvernia students can click here to submit a Hope Fund Grant Application.
The University’s Hope Fund committee will review eligible requests and determine award amounts. If you have any questions regarding the form or the Hope Fund, please contact our Hope Fund team at Presidential.Aid@alvernia.edu.
Stay safe,
Alvernia University Presidential Hope Fund Committee
