Coronavirus Information

Latest updates

How is Penn State awarding student emergency grants from its federal Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund II allocation?

Penn State was allotted nearly $85 million from the Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund II as part of the federal Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act (CRRSAA), which was signed into law on Dec. 27, 2020. As prescribed by law, at least $27.5 million of Penn State’s allocation will be awarded to students in the form of emergency financial aid grants, matching the dollar amount Penn State students received last year under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act.

Penn State will again distribute the student grants via two rounds of funding. In the first round, the University will award grants to more than 23,000 students. These first-round grants prioritize students with exceptional financial need, as required by the CRRSAA, based on data from the 2020-21 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Students who are Pell Grant-eligible will each be offered $1,200, and all other students identified for an award will be offered $1,000 each.

The University also will award grants via a second round of funding that will use an application process to support students in need who were not identified to receive funding during the first round. Details about this application-based second round of funding will be shared broadly in the near future.

What is the status of in-person meetings, events and large gatherings?

At this time, the University continues to strongly encourage groups to host virtual meetings and events whenever possible.

All meetings, events and gatherings with more than 10 participants require University approval. Meetings, events and gatherings with 10 or fewer total participants — including all of those who are present, such as employees working at the event — do not need prior permission. Regardless of event size, face masks and physical distancing continue to be required for all, and occupancy limits for indoor and outdoor venues must be followed.

For Penn State units and organizations seeking to host an event or gathering, approval must be granted from the unit executive. For student organizations and student-run events, permission will need to be sought by the Office of Student Activities at the University Park campus, or the campus chancellor’s office at Commonwealth Campuses.

More information about the approval process is available here.

Event organizers also must develop and submit a detailed program safety plan, which includes:

— A communications plan for attendees and participants that outlines all safety protocols and expectations.

— A pre-event COVID-19 screening process for participants and attendees.

— Details on how the program will disseminate specific COVID-19 spread and prevention information.

— How the event will adhere to all local and state COVID-19 guidelines, as well as Penn State requirements.

— Safety logistics, including cleaning and disinfecting high-contact surfaces; distribution of hand-sanitizer stations and other personal protective equipment and supplies; foot-traffic flow; transportation considerations; and adherence to state and local occupancy limits.

The University has created the following planning resources, including guidance for safely holding events and gatherings, the approval process for events and gatherings, and acknowledgement documents for organizers and attendees:

— Events and gathering guidance

— Approval process for events and gatherings

— Penn State COVID acknowledgements

— COVID acknowledgements for third-party organizations

Organizers must follow all existing COVID-19 safety procedures as outlined by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Pennsylvania Department of Health, the University’s COVID-19 website and Penn State’s Return to Work website.

Am I eligible to receive a vaccine as an education worker?

As of April 13, all Pennsylvania adults are eligible to schedule an appointment for a COVID-19 vaccine. Penn State is strongly encouraging all students, faculty and staff to sign up to get the first vaccine available to them as soon as a dose is available. The Department of Health website features a map of vaccine providers that includes hospitals, urgent care centers, doctor’s offices and pharmacies.

Can any University employee now receive a COVID-19 vaccine?

As of April 13, all Pennsylvania adults are eligible to schedule an appointment for a COVID-19 vaccine. Penn State is strongly encouraging all students, faculty and staff to sign up to get the first vaccine available to them as soon as a dose is available. The Department of Health website features a map of vaccine providers that includes hospitals, urgent care centers, doctor’s offices and pharmacies.

Is Penn State making the COVID-19 vaccine mandatory for employees or students?

For now, we are strongly encouraging everyone in our community to get vaccinated as soon as they are eligible and a dose is available. We are continuing to monitor developments and vaccine availability carefully and may alter our approach in the future if it is determined to be in the best interest of our community or called for by public policy. More information will be forthcoming through the Pennsylvania Department of Health (which is overseeing the vaccine distribution) and the University, and as we weigh the pandemic’s continuing impact on our communities. To learn more, visit the Vaccine Information page.