CARES Act Grants: Assisting Our Students
Current information on emergency funding for students adversely affected by the pandemic is available at seminolestate.edu/crrsaa.
To assist students who have been adversely affected by the coronavirus pandemic, Seminole State College will distribute $4,075,030 in Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act funding to PELL eligible and non-PELL, financial aid eligible students enrolled in the Spring 2020, Summer 2020 and Fall 2020 semesters. If funding remains, grants will also be available in Spring 2021.
The emergency funding provides eligible students enrolled in six or more credit hours in Spring, Summer or Fall Term 2020 with financial grants that can be used for expenses related to food, housing, health care, childcare, course materials and technology incurred in direct relation to the disruption of campus operations due to COVID-19.
We recognize the financial challenges caused by the coronavirus pandemic and trust the CARES Act grants will provide hope and help to keep you moving forward personally and academically. Remember, we are here for you. GO State. GO Far.
Eligibility Criteria
To be eligible to receive a CARES Act grant, students must:
- Have a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) on file
- Demonstrate eligibility to receive a Pell Grant (determined by FAFSA)
Students are PELL eligible if they had a PELL grant dispersed in Fall 2019 or Spring 2020 or if they have been awarded a PELL grant for Summer Term 2020. Students must meet the eligibility requirements defined by the U.S. Department of Education:
- Be a U.S. citizen or eligible non-citizen
- Have a valid Social Security number
- Registered with Selective Service (if the student is male)
- Have a high school diploma, GED, or completion of high school in an approved home-school setting (must not have been enrolled in high school on March 13, 2020)
- Be making satisfactory academic progress
- Be working on an approved degree or certificate
- Not be in default of a federal student loan or owe a repayment of a federal grant
- Have a FAFSA on file or complete the 2020-21 FAFSA and be eligible to receive Title IV financial aid.
Per CARES Act legislation, international students, DACA students, dual-enrollment students, and students who were exclusively in an online program on March 13, 2020, are not eligible for CARES Act grants.
CARES Act Grant Amounts
Updated: June 10, 2020
Spring 2020
- All PELL eligible students who took six or more credit hours will receive a one-time grant disbursement of $700.
- All non-PELL, financial aid eligible students with an Expected Family Contribution (EFC) of $5,577 - $7,500 on their FAFSA, who took six or more credit hours will receive a one-time grant disbursement of $350.
- Spring only students have until Aug. 5 (end of summer classes) to respond to a message in their MySeminoleState Message Center and claim their funds.
Summer 2020
- All PELL eligible students taking six or more credit hours will receive a total grant disbursement of $700. Summer students who have already received $500 will receive an additional $200.
- All non-PELL, financial aid eligible students with an Expected Family Contribution (EFC) of $5,577 - $7,500 on their FAFSA, taking six or more credit hours will receive a total grant disbursement of $350. Summer students who have already received $250 will receive an additional $100.
- Students who attended in Spring and returned in Summer will receive only the summer disbursement (Spring and Summer are part of the same aid year).
Fall 2020
- All PELL eligible students taking six or more credit hours will receive a one-time grant disbursement of $500.
- All non-PELL, financial aid eligible students with an Expected Family Contribution (EFC) of $5,577 - $7,500 on their FAFSA, taking six or more credit hours will receive a one-time grant disbursement of $250.
- Returning students who received a disbursement in Spring/Summer 2020 are eligible to receive additional funds in Fall 2020 as part of the new aid year.
Spring 2021
If funding is available, eligible students will receive a one-time disbursement. The amount of the disbursement will be determined based on the balance of funds left following disbursements from the previous terms.
Students whose circumstances have changed since they completed their FAFSA can also speak with a student success specialist or email fahelp@seminolestate.edu to determine if their FAFSA can be updated to reflect their current financial situation.
Other Financial Support
Students who do not qualify for federal financial aid or CARES Act grants can apply for emergency aid through Destination Graduation, a partnership between the College and the Heart of Florida United Way.
Students whose circumstances have changed since they completed their FAFSA can also speak with a student success specialist or email fahelp@seminolestate.edu to determine if their FAFSA can be updated to reflect their current financial situation.
CARES Act FAQs
Most Asked CARES Act Questions
End of list
To comply with federal regulations regarding the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, & Economic Security (CARES) Act: Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund (HEERF), Seminole State College of Florida is providing easily accessible, public information regarding the dollar amount and use of grant funds awarded by the U.S. Department of Education:
| CARES Act: HEERF Grant Award | Award Date(s) | Award Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Emergency Financial Aid Grants to Students | 4/20/2020 | $4,075,030 |
| Institutional Portion | 5/6/2020 | $4,075,029 |
| Minority Serving Institutions – Strengthening Institutions | 5/31/2020 11/27/2020 | $522,375 |
As of June 30, 2021
CARES Act: HEERF – Institutional Portion:
As of this date, the College has expended the entire $4,075,029 grant award. The funds were used for emergency financial aid grants to 2,833 students and institutional expenses incurred as a direct result of significant changes to the delivery of instruction due to COVID-19 as follows:
| Emergency Financial Aid Grants | $1,344,470 |
| Student Refunds | 293,199 |
| Indirect Costs | 285,628 |
| Safety (PPE, Disinfecting, Sanitizing, Communication) | 352,957 |
| Equipment and Software | 940,257 |
| Instructional Equipment and Supplies | 132,819 |
| Replacing Lost Revenue from Non-Tuition Sources | 632,977 |
| Operating Additional Class Sections | 60,630 |
| Faculty Training | 7,666 |
| Other | 24,426 |
CARES Act: HEERF – Minority Serving Institutions – Strengthening Institutions Program:
As of this date, the College has expended the entire $522,375 grant award to defray expenses incurred by the College, including lost revenue, reimbursement for expenses already incurred, technology costs associated with a transition to distance education, faculty and staff training, and payroll as follows:
| Tuition Discounts | $47,008 |
| Equipment and Software | 106,049 |
| Loss of Revenue | 338,964 |
| Other | 30,354 |
As of March 31, 2021
Quarterly Budget and Expenditure Reporting 3-31-2021
CARES Act: HEERF – Emergency Financial Aid Grants to Students:
The College has awarded and disbursed the entire $4,075,030 in emergency financial aid grants. For more information, see the update as of September 30, 2020.
CARES Act: HEERF – Institutional Portion:
As of this date, the College has expended $3,154,689 of its $4,075,029 grant award. The funds were used for emergency financial aid grants to 2,833 students and institutional expenses incurred as a direct result of significant changes to the delivery of instruction due to COVID-19 as follows:
| Emergency Financial Aid Grants | $1,344,720 |
| Student Refunds | 293,199 |
| Indirect Costs | 265,928 |
| Safety (PPE, Disinfecting, Sanitizing, Communication) | 351,787 |
| Equipment and Software | 673,512 |
| Instructional Equipment and Supplies | 132,819 |
| Operating Additional Class Sections | 60,630 |
| Faculty Training | 7,666 |
| Other | 24,428 |
CARES Act: HEERF – Minority Serving Institutions – Strengthening Institutions Program:
As of this date, the College has expended $506,230 of its $522,375 grant award to defray expenses incurred by the College, including lost revenue, reimbursement for expenses already incurred, technology costs associated with a transition to distance education, faculty and staff training, and payroll as follows:
| Tuition Discounts | $47,008 |
| Equipment and Software | 106,049 |
| Loss of Revenue | 322,819 |
| Other | 30,354 |
Students are receiving information on CARES Act funding through the College’s webpage seminolestate.edu/cares, newsroom, frequently asked questions, text messages, emails and social media.
As of December 31, 2020
Quarterly Budget and Expenditure Reporting 12-31-2020
CARES Act: HEERF – Emergency Financial Aid Grants to Students:
The College has awarded and disbursed the entire $4,075,030 in emergency financial aid grants. For more information, see the update as of September 30, 2020.
CARES Act: HEERF – Institutional Portion:
As of this date, the College has expended $2,663,211of its $4,075,029 grant award. The funds were used for emergency financial aid grants to 2,840 students and institutional expenses incurred as a direct result of significant changes to the delivery of instruction due to COVID-19 as follows:
| Emergency Financial Aid Grants | $1,351,720 |
| Student Refunds | 293,199 |
| Indirect Costs | 201,024 |
| Safety (PPE, Disinfecting, Sanitizing, Comm.)* | 328,508 |
| Equipment and Software* | 397,938 |
| Instructional Equipment and Supplies* | 60,113 |
| Faculty Training* | 7,666 |
| Other* | 23,043 |
*Amounts have been recategorized to align with Federal reporting requirements.
CARES Act: HEERF – Minority Serving Institutions – Strengthening Institutions Program:
As of this date, the College has expended $497,308 of its $522,375 grant award to defray expenses incurred by the College, including lost revenue, reimbursement for expenses already incurred, technology costs associated with a transition to distance education, faculty and staff trainings, and payroll as follows:
| Tuition Discounts* | $47,008 |
| Equipment and Software* | 105,901 |
| Loss of Revenue | 322,818 |
| Other* | 21,581 |
*Amounts have been recategorized to align with Federal reporting requirements.
Students are receiving information on CARES Act funding through the College’s webpage seminolestate.edu/cares, newsroom, Frequently Asked Questions, text messages, emails and social media.
As of September 30, 2020
Quarterly Budget and Expenditure Reporting 9-30-2020
CARES Act: HEERF – Emergency Financial Aid Grants to Students:
The College has awarded and disbursed the entire $4,075,030 in emergency financial aid grants to 4,597 students. The awarding methodology provided $700 awards to students who are Pell eligible and enrolled at least half time during either Summer Term 2020 or Spring Term 2020, and $350 awards to students enrolled at least half time and whose expected family contributions (EFC) are between $5,577 and $7,500. For Fall Term 2020 the amount of award for Pell-eligible students enrolled at least half-time was $500, and the amount for students enrolled at least half time and whose expected family contributions (EFC) are between $5,711 and $7,500 was $250.
CARES Act: HEERF – Institutional Portion:
As of this date, the College has expended $1,983,237 of its $4,075,029 grant award. The funds were used for emergency financial aid grants to 1,645 students and institutional expenses incurred as a direct result of significant changes to the delivery of instruction due to COVID-19 as follows:
| Emergency Financial Aid Grants | $770,120 |
| Student Refunds | 293,199 |
| Indirect Costs | 251,089 |
| PPE, Disinfecting, Sanitizing | 267,144 |
| Safety Communications | 11,906 |
| Technology Costs and Software | 376,243 |
| Instruction and Tutoring | 13,536 |
CARES Act: HEERF – Minority Serving Institutions – Strengthening Institutions Program:
As of this date, the College has expended $251,338 of its $517,544 grant award to defray expenses incurred by the College, including lost revenue, reimbursement for expenses already incurred, technology costs associated with a transition to distance education, faculty and staff trainings, and payroll as follows:
| Student Fee Waivers/Refunds | $47,008 |
| Technology Costs and Software | 48,916 |
| Loss of Revenue | 87,204 |
| Tutoring | 59,500 |
| Financial Aid Personnel | 8,710 |
Students are receiving information on CARES Act funding through the College’s webpage seminolestate.edu/cares, newsroom, Frequently Asked Questions, text messages, emails and social media.
As of August 3, 2020
CARES Act: HEERF – Emergency Financial Aid Grants to Students:
The College will be distributing the $4,075,030 grant award to students in its entirety. As of this date, the college has awarded $3,626,350 in emergency financial aid grants to 5,319 students and has disbursed $2,688,550. The awarding methodology provided $700 awards to students who are Pell eligible and enrolled at least half-time during either the Summer Term 2020 or Spring Term 2020, and $350 awards to students enrolled at least half time and whose expected family contributions (EFC) are between 5577 and 7500.
An estimated 10,000 students eligible under Section 484 in Title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965 have received Emergency Financial Aid Grants under Section 18004(a)(1) of the CARES Act for the 2019/2020 Academic Year.
CARES Act: HEERF – Institutional Portion:
As of this date, the College has expended $502,645 of its $4,075,029 grant award for institutional expenses incurred as a direct result of significant changes to the delivery of instruction due to COVID19 as follows:
Student Refunds $284,273
Indirect Costs 104,037
PPE, Disinfecting, Sanitizing $101,887
Safety Communications $11,799
Technology Costs and Software $ 649
CARES Act: HEERF – Minority Serving Institutions – Strengthening Institutions Program:
As of this date, the College has expended $64,007 of its $517,544 grant award to defray expenses incurred by the College, including lost revenue, reimbursement for expenses already incurred, technology costs associated with a transition to distance education, faculty and staff trainings, and payroll as follows:
Student Fee Waivers $37,251
Technology Costs and Software $26,756
Students are receiving information on CARES Act funding through the College’s webpage seminolestate.edu/cares, newsroom, Frequently Asked Questions, text messages, emails and social media.
As of June 29, 2020
Seminole State College of Florida received $8.1 million in CARES Act funding. Of the $8.1 million, the initial $4,075,030 will be disbursed to students in its entirety.
The College has awarded $3,544,000.00 to 5,198 students and disbursed $1,279,350.000 of that amount to date. The awarding methodology provided $700 awards to students who are Pell eligible and enrolled at least half-time during either the Summer Term 2020 or Spring Term 2020, and $350 awards to students enrolled at least half time and whose expected family contributions (EFC) are between 5577 and 7500.
An estimated 10,000 students eligible under Section 484 in Title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965 have received Emergency Financial Aid Grants under Section 18004(a)(1) of the CARES Act for the 2019/2020 Academic Year.
To comply with federal regulations regarding the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, & Economic Security (CARES) Act funding for HEERF Minority Serving Institutions - Strengthening Institutions Program, Seminole State College signed and returned the Department Certification and Agreement and received notification of the grant award dated May 31, 2020.
As of July 1, 2020, Seminole State College of Florida was awarded $517,544 in CARES Act funding for HEERF Minority Serving Institutions - Strengthening Institutions Program. No funds in this third tranche have been expended nor drawn down. Therefore, none of these funds are expected to be distributed to students as of this date.
Pursuant to Section 18004(a)(2) of the CARES Act, The College will use this award to defray expenses incurred by the College, including lost revenue, reimbursement for expenses already incurred, technology costs associated with a transition to distance education, faculty and staff trainings, and payroll.
Students are receiving information on CARES Act funding through the College’s webpage seminolestate.edu/coronavirus, newsroom, Frequently Asked Questions, text messages, emails and social media.
As of June 10, 2020
Seminole State College of Florida received $8.1 million in CARES Act funding. Of the $8.1 million, the initial $4,075,030 will be disbursed to students in its entirety.
The College will disburse about $1.5 million to approximately 3,100 students who attended in Spring Term 2020 and over $1.2 million to students in Summer Term 2020. Additional disbursements will occur in Fall Term 2020. An estimated 2,500 students are eligible to receive CARES Act funding in Summer Term 2020.
Students are receiving information on CARES Act funding through the College’s webpage seminolestate.edu/coronavirus , newsroom, Frequently Asked Questions, text messages, emails and social media.