Application period opens for TXST Bobcat Cares funding

Texas State University students can now apply for federally-funded emergency assistance for the fall semester through Bobcat Cares.

The university announced approximately $40 million in funding is available to eligible students who are currently enrolled to help “lessen financial insecurity caused by the pandemic.”

University Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs Gene Bourgeois said in a recent press conference that Texas State will effectively award the $40 million in one round during the fall semester.

“I think that’s why this summer even we began to publicize the fact that we would have this round of CARES emergency grant funding this fall so that current students who would still be enrolled this fall at the eligibility date, and then incoming students who would be enrolled at the eligibility date would all have as much information ahead of time to know that they can plan to apply for those funds,” Bourgeois said.

Texas State said the student assistance will be distributed directly to eligible students through the federal Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund. The university added that the emergency grants will help Texas State students with the financial burden the pandemic has caused and will allow students to pay for the costs of attending college.

Texas State said students who are currently enrolled full time and part time students who are eligible to receive emergency funding can use the grant monies to offset any component of cost of attendance, which includes tuition, fees, housing, food, books, supplies and travel expenses to and from university campuses. Additionally, funds can be used to cover emergency costs due to COVID-19, including healthcare, mental healthcare and childcare.

The application period for fall 2021 Bobcat Cares Emergency Grant opened on Monday and closes Thursday, Sept. 9. Students interested in applying for the emergency grant can visit the Bobcat Cares webpage at https://www.txstate. edu/cares.html for more information, including eligibility requirements.