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Financial Aid COVID-19 Information

Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act (CRRSAA) Financial Assistance Fund

[Note: The CRRSAA Financial Assistance Request is currently closed.]

The CRRSAA Financial Assistance Fund is funded through the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2021 Section 314, Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund (HEERF II). This legislation was signed into law on December 27, 2020 and provides emergency financial assistance grants to students for eligible expenses incurred on or after March 13, 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

In order to be eligible for CRRSAA financial aid grants, you must meet the following requirements:

  • Been enrolled in a degree program at UT Southwestern
  • Complete complete a valid Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) application for 2019-2020 or after, or be a qualifying international or DACA student
  • Have expenses directly related to any component of cost of attendance or for emergency costs that arise due to coronavirus, such as tuition, food, housing, health care (including mental health care) or child care. Categories of expenses may include, but are not limited to, the following:
    • Additional technology purchases related to the transition from in-person to online coursework (i.e. printer, webcam, router, transcription software)
    • Expenses related to unexpected changes in housing arrangements due to the early return from, or cancellation/postponement of, rotations or clinical experiences
    • Expenses related to delays of graduation dates
    • Transportation & child care costs
    • Expenses related to changes in examination dates (travel, study aids, delays in testing dates, etc.)
  • Related expenses already covered by a previously approved CARES Act application are not eligible to be covered under this form.

If you believe you qualify, please fill out the CRRSAA Financial Assistance Request form. [Note: The CRRSAA Financial Assistance Request is currently closed.]

For other emergency financial needs that are not related to COVID-19, please refer to our Student Emergency Resources page and review the qualifications for the David Nathan Meyerson Emergency Fund, as well as a list of other resources.

CARES Act Financial Assistance Fund

[Note: The CARES Act Financial Assistance Request is currently closed.]

The CARES Act Financial Assistance Fund is funded through the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act Section 18004, Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund (HEERF). This legislation was signed into law on March 27, 2020, and provides broad relief for federal student loan borrowers, as well as emergency financial aid grants to students who meet certain criteria.

In order to be eligible for CARES Act (HEERF) emergency financial aid grants, you must meet the following requirements:

  • Been enrolled in a degree program at UT Southwestern 
  • Complete a valid 2020-2021 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) application 
  • Have expenses directly related to the disruption of campus operations due to COVID-19. Categories of expenses may include, but are not limited to, the following:
    • Additional technology purchases related to the transition from in-person to online coursework (i.e. printer, webcam, router, transcription software)
    • Expenses related to unexpected changes in housing arrangements due to the early return from, or cancellation/postponement of, rotations or clinical experiences
    • Expenses related to delays of graduation dates
    • Transportation and child care costs
    • Expenses related to changes in examination dates (travel, study aids, delays in testing dates, etc.)

If you believe you qualify, please fill out the CARES Act Financial Assistance Request form. [Note: The CARES Act Financial Assistance Request is currently closed.]

For other emergency financial needs that are not related to COVID-19, please refer to our Student Emergency Resources page and review the qualifications for the David Nathan Meyerson Emergency Fund, as well as a list of other resources.

Financial Aid COVID-19 FAQ

The Office of Student Financial Aid understands these are stressful times. Our office has put together a guide to provide updates on your financial aid and how COVID-19 may affect you, as well as options to provide relief if you are affected by the pandemic.

Is the Office of Student Financial Aid currently open?

  • Yes! Our team is currently working remotely according to UT Southwestern policies, but we remain available to our students – past, present, and future. You can reach us by financialaid@utsouthwestern.edu. Most questions can be answered by email, but if you’d like to schedule a call or virtual appointment we are happy to do that.

Will there be any changes to the financial aid I was expecting for 2021-2022?

  • With the exception of students whose graduation time frames were extended, we do not anticipate making any adjustments to students’ 2021-2022 financial aid. Other changes not related to COVID-19 may still occur, but our advisors will reach out if you are affected.

Will my first 2021-2022 disbursement be delayed?

If I have a private scholarship check or am anticipating receiving one, what steps should I take?

  • If you were anticipating a private scholarship check for Spring 2021 and it has yet to be posted, please financialaid@utsouthwestern.edu our office. All scholarship checks received for Summer 2021, Fall 2021, and Spring 2022 will be processed on a weekly basis until we are back on campus. Once that occurs, checks will be processed daily. 

Are the loans I have previously borrowed currently accruing interest? What about any new loans I take out between now and December 31, 2022?

  • Federal Loans held by the US Department of Education
    • All federal loans owned by the U.S. Department of Education (Direct Unsubsidized and Graduate PLUS Loans and most FFEL Program loans) have a temporarily reduced interest rate of 0% through December 31, 2022. No action is required on your part.
  • College Access Loans (CAL)
    • Loans held and serviced by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (THECB) are not included in the interest waiver as announced by the Department of Education. However, you may be eligible for a temporary forbearance period. All questions should be directed to the THECB.

I am currently in repayment due to an approved Leave of Absence greater than 180 days – am I still required to make payments on my loans?

  • Federal Direct Unsubsidized, Subsidized, and Graduate PLUS Loans
    • All federal loans owned by the U.S. Department of Education will be automatically placed in an administrative forbearance that will temporarily suspend your monthly payments through December 31, 2022.  
  • College Access Loans (CAL)
    • You may be eligible for a reduced payment or a temporary forbearance of payments. Please note that if you are granted a forbearance, interest will continue to accrue during the forbearance period. All questions should be directed to the THECB.

More COVID-19 Information

UT Southwestern COVID-19 Information

StudentAid.gov – Coronavirus and Forbearance Info for Students, Borrowers, and Parents

THECB College Access Loan COVID-19 Guidance