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Dean of Students

HEART Fund

The HEART Fund exists to assist students who are dealing with extenuating circumstances due to financial hardships.

If you or another student is in need of supports and/or resources, please submit a care report. Please contact WMPD (757-221-4695) if you are experiencing an emergency on campus. Additional local and national resources are listed below.

What is the HEART Fund?

The Health Emergency and Resources for the Tribe (HEART) Fund was established in 2019 through the private support of W&M Donors. The HEART Fund exists to assist students who are dealing with financial hardships due to extenuating circumstances. 
What is the CARES Act?

The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act allocated federal money to higher education institutions for emergency grants to students to help cover expenses related to the disruption of campus operations due to the coronavirus pandemic. William & Mary has been allocated $1.97 million for disbursement to students. More information about the CARES Act can be found at the William & Mary CARES Act webpage.

The CARES Act has its own eligibility guidelines and has been/will be distributed in accordance with these federal guidelines. At this juncture in time, there is no formal request process for students to request grants from the CARES Act, students that are eligible will be contacted via email, text message, or phone call.   
Who is eligible for funding through the HEART Fund?

In order to be eligible for HEART Funding, students must be currently enrolled in the semester in which they are requesting support. Students who have graduated and have had their degrees conferred are no longer eligible for HEART Fund consideration.
Who is eligible and what types of expenses are eligible for funding through the HEART Fund?

In order to be eligible for HEART Funding, students must be currently enrolled in the semester in which they are requesting support. Students who have graduated and have had their degrees conferred are no longer eligible for HEART Fund consideration.

During this time, HEART Funds will only be granted for basic essential needs such as...

  • Food
  • Lodging
  • Medical/Mental Health Related Needs
  • Essential Transportation
  • Essential Educational Needs

The HEART Fund cannot fund tuition or payment of existing debt to the university.

Additionally, grants will not be provided for reimbursement for past expenses. If a student has spent money on an expense and is now experiencing essential needs, they may request HEART Funds for those new expenses but will not be granted reimbursement for past expenses. 

If you would like to inquire further about your specific needs or eligibility for funding, please contact us at heartfund@wm.edu. 
How do I apply for funding through the HEART Fund?

To apply for funding through the HEART Fund, please complete the HEART Fund Request Form. Prior to submitting this form, please ensure that you have reviewed all of the appropriate eligibility information on this webpage.

The form is two pages and will auto-populate most of your personal information. You will need to sign the Honor Code Affirmation and provide information regarding your need(s).

On the form, there are specific categories of needs available for a student to select. The categories for need type include Transportation, Food, Lodging, Medical, Educational, and Other. 

You may be asked to provide more detailed information or proof of expenses related to your request. Remember, when submitting a request, that students are bound by the W&M Honor Code and should be truthful and accurate in all requests made for funding.
How long will it take to get a decision on my request for funding?

Once a request has been submitted, we will review the request and will consider a student’s needs, any previous grants/rebates awarded, and additional circumstances when making awarding decisions. Please allow up to 3-5 business days for your request to be reviewed.

Please allow additional time, if we need to inquire further about your request. Being as specific and detailed as possible in your original request, will allow for the quickest possible review.
How can I donate to the HEART Fund?

You can donate to the HEART Fund at William & Mary's Giving page.
What is the CARES Act?

The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act allocated federal money to higher education institutions for emergency grants to students to help cover expenses related to the disruption of campus operations due to the coronavirus pandemic. William & Mary has been allocated $1.97 million for disbursement to students. More information about the CARES Act can be found at the William & Mary CARES Act webpage.

The CARES Act has its own eligibility guidelines and has been/will be distributed in accordance with these federal guidelines. At this juncture in time, there is no formal request process for students to request grants from the CARES Act, students that are eligible will be contacted via email, text message, or phone call.   
Local and National Resources