Nearly $1.4 million from the U.S. Department of Education will provide much-needed assistance
to students in financial distress and to Centenary University.

HACKETTSTOWN, NJ, May 18, 2020—Centenary University began distributing financial
assistance on May 8 to students who have been affected by the COVID-19 pandemic through
the Centenary CARES Emergency Grant Fund. The funding is part of the $1.35 million in federal
relief funding awarded to Centenary through the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security
(CARES) Act adopted by Congress in response to the ongoing national health crisis.

The act provides $2 trillion in aid—including $14 billion for the nation’s colleges and
universities—to mitigate the economic impact of the crisis. In New Jersey, colleges and
universities, technical and trade schools, and seminaries are sharing $323 million in aid
administered through the U.S. Department of Education. The first installment of each
institution’s grant, representing 50 percent of the funding, must be distributed to eligible
students on the respective campuses.

The Centenary CARES Emergency Grant Fund mailed $300 checks on May 8 to all eligible
students who were enrolled full-time during the spring 2020 semester and were eligible to
apply for federal financial aid, as well as several other criteria set forth by the U.S. Department
of Education. In addition, Centenary students can apply for a Centenary CARES Emergency
Grant through the University for additional assistance to cover expenses including healthcare

and medical insurance if not covered by their parents’ policy; technology costs incurred to
adjust to online learning; losses related to cancelled study abroad or study away opportunities;
travel due to family emergency, crisis, or death; standard living expenses including rent, food,
essential utilities, and commuting costs; unanticipated childcare costs; and other immediate
critical needs causing acute financial stress brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic. Students
can apply for the supplemental aid on the University’s website at
https://www.centenaryuniversity.edu/coronavirus-communications/cares-emergency-
financial-grants/. Applications for grant funding will be reviewed by the University’s Staff
Senate Executive Board on a rolling basis.

“At Centenary, our first concern has remained the health and well-being of our students
during this crisis,” said Centenary University President Bruce Murphy, Ph.D. “So many are first
generation students whose families sacrifice to send them to college. We’re very thankful to
receive this federal funding to provide critical assistance to ease the financial burden of our
students, as well as to assist the University.”

The second installment of funding through the CARES Act will directly aid universities
across the country, including Centenary, which have experienced financial losses due to the
pandemic. “This funding provides critical economic relief for Centenary University, as well as
educational institutions across the nation,” said Denton Stargel, vice president for business and
finance. “Federal and state assistance for higher education, as well as prudent financial
planning, will ensure the future of the nation’s colleges and universities, as well as that of our
students.”

ABOUT CENTENARY UNIVERSITY
Founded in 1867 by the Newark Conference of the United Methodist Church, Centenary
University’s academic program integrates a solid liberal arts foundation with a strong career
orientation. This mix provides an educational experience that prepares students to succeed in
the increasingly global and interdependent world. The University’s main campus is located in
Hackettstown, N.J., with its equestrian facility in Washington Township. The Centenary

University School of Professional Studies offers degree programs at two locations, Parsippany
and Edison, as well as online and at corporate sites throughout New Jersey.