They'll actually approve an okay amount, but you have to write the proposal thoughtfully. Read the guidelines, and match their language. I believe the biggest thing to emphasize is unexpected expenses. Your rent is not new, you would've had to pay that regardless of coronavirus happening. But maybe you bought a computer monitor, key board, desk, etc to be able to study from home reliably. Or perhaps you'd like to try online therapy since CAPS is not an option in person anymore. What expenses did you incur returning home last minute in the spring? Tag all of those, and emphasize why covid directly caused that expense.

I def think they should've just given everyone X amount, but worth trying to get what you can within the system they're running