Virginia Governor's Emergency Education Relief II (GEER II) Fund Grants
As part of the U.S. Government’s continuing efforts to provide financial assistance in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, Congress passed the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021, which included a provision for a Governor’s Emergency Education Relief (GEER) Fund. Virginia’s GEER II fund calls for Virginia institutions of higher education to use the one-time funding for immediate student financial needs. The fund is intended to provide one-time emergency financial aid grants to in-state undergraduate students from low- and moderate-income households who are facing financial hardship as a result of COVID-19. Grant monies may only be used for their intended purpose which includes education costs, household expenses, childcare, medical, or transportation.
GW has received $227,592 from Virginia’s GEER II fund to be used for student financial assistance and has identified 146 undergraduate students in programs at GW’s Virginia campuses as eligible to receive these awards based on the fund’s criteria.
To be eligible for a GEER II award, an undergraduate student must have been enrolled on or after March 13, 2020 in a degree program at one of GW’s Virginia campuses; be a Virginia resident and a recipient of the Virginia Tuition Assistance Grant; and meet the fund’s financial eligibility criteria.
Once all eligible students have been notified and provided an opportunity to apply for the grant, the amount of the award a student receives will be determined based on the number of students who applied. Larger award amounts will be given to our most in need students from low- and moderate-income households and those with a Pell eligible Estimated Family Contribution (EFC) of $5,846 or less, as determined by a completed FAFSA on record with the university.
Questions regarding GEER II may be directed to [email protected].
-Updated on March 11, 2022.
GW has disbursed all $227,592 of funds received from Virginia’s GEER II grant in the form of student financial assistance to 111 of the 146 eligible undergraduate students enrolled in programs at GW’s Virginia campuses after they completed the GEER II application. GW calculated a non-taxable, one-time fixed award per student that ranged from $1,037 to $2,330 based on their eligibility.
-Updated on March 31, 2022.