EC Students left out of Government Stimulus Package and Federal Work Study pay

Elmhurst College students have been left unemployed by the college after the partial campus closedown was announced in March. 

Many students who relied on campus employment as a source of income have also been left out of the $2 trillion stimulus package signed by President Donald Trump in late March. 

The CARES Act (Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act) offers a one time payment to independent tax payers of $1200. This leaves college students ages 18-24 without a check because many parents claim full-time college students under the age of 24 as dependents on their IRS tax returns. 

EC students who lost their on campus jobs either continue to work jobs deemed “essential” during the ongoing pandemic, or have lost their non-essential off-campus jobs as well.

For some students, the loss of income has made it increasingly more difficult to continue to make tuition payments. 

Raquel Sanchez, a Communication Sciences and Disorders major, like many other students, was left out of the stimulus relief.  

Now, she works an essential job to make money, despite fearing exposure to the virus.  

“My place of work officially has a confirmed case of COVID-19,” Sanchez shared. “This has given me so much anxiety because I live with my grandparents. I don't want to put them in danger but we also need the money.” 

Before the campus closure, Sanchez received Federal Work Study pay as a student employee.

“If it wasn't for the money I had saved up I wouldn't have been able to pay my last 2-3 months of tuition,” Sanchez said. She hopes that the college does more to assist students who were previously receiving FWS.

The Office of Student Financial Services has informed students that they are trying to figure out a way for students to continue receiving FWS. 

As of May 1, students who were receiving FWS should have received a payment totaling what they would have earned the remainder of the semester based on their previous work schedule. 

The CARES Act does not provide compensation for non-U.S. citizen taxpayers, leaving immigrant populations 

Sanchez’s family was not eligible for the federal stimulus money either. “​I got claimed by my mom but she also didn't get the check because she isn't a U.S. citizen and only has an ITN number to do her taxes,” she explained. 

Andrea Rubin, currently a senior majoring in Criminal Justice and psychology, shares Sanchez’s concerns. She has experienced similar difficulties holding an off-campus job during this time and is not benefiting from federal relief either. 

Rubin believes that professors should understand that their students are facing added pressures as a result of COVID-19. “I think asking professors to relax class requirements would be good,” she said. 

Update: The CARES Act has allowed Elmhurst College to give emergency grants to students in need.