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Home | COVID-19 Information | COVID-19 Update (April 20)

COVID-19 update slate

IMPORTANT MESSAGE ABOUT COVID-19 FROM PRESIDENT CHILLO (4.20.20)

As we continue to move through these times of uncertainty, University leadership is making decisions every day with student success and well-being at the forefront of those discussions. While having these discussions, we have been carefully monitoring federal and state policies and regulations that may impact the work we do here at Thomas More. As a result of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act that was passed last month, Thomas More University will be awarded more than $600K to assist students directly.

The funds will assist students with emergency needs, such as technology expenses, food, housing, and childcare. A portion of this money will be used to grant immediate funds to students to help with the disruption caused by the pandemic.

We understand the physical, financial, mental, and emotional burden that has been placed on our students through these unprecedented times. In an effort to minimize delay and provide relief aid directly to students, we will be providing all traditional undergraduate, degree-seeking students assistance in accordance with U.S. Department of Education regulations. The amount each student will receive will range from $150 – $1,000, depending on specific criteria that will be outlined in a message that students will be receiving via their Thomas More email accounts in the coming days.3

An emergency fund will also be established for ongoing financial issues that students may encounter through the duration of the pandemic. Students who have a qualifying emergency will be able to apply for individual emergency grant funding in addition to the funding outlined above. More information will be forthcoming, along with details about how to apply. For questions concerning student grants, please contact the Financial Aid Office.

In addition to this grant funding, a room and board credit will be granted to anyone who moved off campus as a result of the residence halls closing. As announced previously, we made the decision to close the residence halls after spring break to mitigate the spread of the virus. Because of this decision, the amount of credit that each residential student will receive will depend on specific criteria. These criteria will be outlined in a message that will be sent to those impacted students’ Thomas More email accounts. For questions about student account or room and board credits, contact the Office of Student Accounts/Bursar.

As I’ve stated before, our top goals are to ensure the safety of our people and to provide our students with the education and tools they need to finish this semester strong. Relief from the CARES Act will further help us advance those goals.

Continue to be safe and well.

With best regards,
President Chillo