BYU–Hawaii Decides Not to Accept CARES Act Funding
These are extremely challenging times for colleges and universities, including BYU–Hawaii. We appreciate the support the United States Congress has shown to institutions of higher education through the CARES Act. However, although BYU–Hawaii continues to experience significant financial losses due to the COVID-19 pandemic, we have decided not to seek or accept CARES Act funding. We have notified the U.S. Department of Education of our decision so that it can reallocate resources to other institutions, some of which may not be able to open their doors to students again without government relief.
We want to reassure our students that this will in no way diminish our continued support during this time. From the beginning of the pandemic, BYU–Hawaii has offered financial support to those who have struggled to meet their basic needs due to the disruptions caused by COVID-19. The university has provided emergency funds for travel assistance when needed. It also paid student employees for expected work schedules through winter semester and into the current spring semester. It continues to employ students in essential work on campus. Any student needing additional assistance may contact the Financial Aid & Scholarship office about their individual circumstances.
Among the students at our university are hundreds of international students, most of whom would not be able to receive an education without the university’s sponsorship. These international students, often those in greatest need, are not eligible for CARES Act funding. BYU–Hawaii remains committed to helping all students in need, regardless of their country of origin, through these unprecedented times. Thanks to the support of our sponsor, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, we not only provide our students with an excellent education while keeping our tuition low, we are also able to offer a combination of work, loans, and grants to enable students to finance their education.
We will continue to look for opportunities throughout this pandemic to assist our students, who remain our first priority.