Seminole State to distribute more than $4 million in CARES Act funds

Seminole State College of Florida has finalized plans to distribute $4,075,030 in Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act funding to help students who may have experienced financial hardship due to COVID-19.

The emergency funding provides PELL eligible students enrolled full-time taking 12 credit hours or more or part-time taking 6-11 credit hours, 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. The CARES Act grants are available for PELL eligible students enrolled in the Summer 2020 and Fall 2020 semesters. If funding remains, grants will also be available in Spring 2021. Emergency grant funds are not intended to be used to replace a loss of income or to pay for student expenses that are not directly related to the disruption of campus operations due to the coronavirus pandemic.

To be eligible to receive a CARES Act grant, students are required to have a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) on file.

CARES Act grants for PELL eligible students

Summer 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.

Fall 2020

All PELL eligible students will receive a one-time grant disbursement based on enrollment status as follows:

• Full-time students taking 12 or more credit hours will receive $700
• Part-time students taking 6-11 credit hours will receive $350

Spring 2021

If funding is available, all PELL eligible students will receive a one-time disbursement based on enrollment status. The amount of the disbursement will be determined based on the balance of funds left following the summer and fall disbursements.

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.

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.

Students who do not qualify for federal financial aid or CARES Act grants can apply for assistance through The Foundation for Seminole State College. Seminole State College students can also apply for emergency aid through Destination Graduation, a partnership between the College and the Heart of Florida United Way.