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CARES Act

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Emergency Financial Aid Grants for Students


The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Securities (CARES) Act (Pub. L. 116-136) authorized the U.S. Department of Education (“ED”) to allocate formula grant funds to postsecondary institutions for the purpose of addressing needs related to coronavirus. On April 10, 2020, Dr. Mary Schmidt Campbell, President of Spelman College, signed and submitted to ED the Certification and Agreement for an Award under Section 18004(a)(2) of the Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund, Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act.

Information and Frequently Asked Questions

Total CARES Act Funds Provided to Spelman College for Student Emergency Financial Aid

Total funds allocated to Spelman for Student Emergency Financial Aid from the Department pursuant to the institution’s Certification and Agreement for Emergency Financial Aid Grants to Students was $1,402,147, which will be directly disbursed to students. The institution will use no less than 50 percent of the funds received under Section 18004(a)(1) of the CARES Act to provide Emergency Financial Aid Grants to students.

Estimated Number of Students Eligible to Participate Under Section 4848 in Title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965

A primary criterion for eligibility consideration is a student’s eligibility to apply for federal aid, regardless of whether an application was submitted. It has been determined that two thousand one hundred twenty students (2,120) students were eligible to participate in the federal aid programs under Section 484 in Title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965 during the 2019-20 academic year.

Methods Used by Spelman College to Determine Students’ Eligibility and Amount of Emergency Financial Aid Grant Under Section 18004(a)(1) of the CARES Act

In efforts to ensure that approximately 70 percent of our student population will receive a share of the funding, Spelman College has established a tiered method of distribution based on Expected Family Contribution (EFC) as reported on the 2019-2020 Free Application For Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Based on this methodology, students with an EFC that is $30,000 or less were considered eligible to receive Spelman College CARES Act Student Emergency Grant funds.

Additionally, the U.S. Department of Education set forth guidelines to which the College must abide to determine grant eligibility.

  1. Students must be eligible to participate in programs under Section 484 in Title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965, as amended (HEA). For purposes of disbursal of these funds, the College will base determination of eligibility on the existence of the student’s 2019-2020 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).
  2. Students must be United States citizens (or eligible non-citizens).
  3. Students must use funds for eligible expenses related to the disruption of campus operations due to coronavirus to include food, housing, course materials, technology, health care and childcare (CARES Act Section 18004(c).
  4. Students must meet Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) requirements, as outlined by Financial Aid guidelines.

Students identified by the Office of Financial Aid as initially eligible (based on the above guidelines) received notification via e-mail. Students must follow the link provided within the e-mail to certify that funds awarded will be used for allowable expenses. Funds will not be disbursed to students who have not submitted a certification form. Upon receipt of the certification form, funds will be disbursed via direct deposit or check to students.

HEERF Quarterly Budget and Expenditures

What is the CARES ACT Emergency Fund provided by the Federal Government?

The Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act was passed by Congress and signed into law to provide economic relief from COVID-19. Section 18004(c) of the CARES Act established the Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund (HEERF) and sent money to schools to use for emergency financial aid grants to students for expenses related to the disruption of campus operations due to the pandemic.

When will CARES Act Funds be available?

Spelman College has received the funds from the CARES Act and will start distributing grants to students based on their demonstrated financial need, as defined by financial aid guidelines. We anticipate the grants will be disbursed beginning May 22. Recipients will be notified via their Spelman email address.

Who is eligible for CARES Act Funds?

To be eligible, the U.S. Department of Education has determined that students must minimally meet the following criteria:
  • Be enrolled in the Spring 2020 semester, as of March 13, 2020
  • Be eligible to receive Federal Title IV funds via the Financial Aid Office
  • Be a citizen of the United States, or an eligible non-citizen
  • Have met Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) , as defined by the U.S. Department of Education
Additionally, institutions have been charged with providing assistance to their neediest students. Spelman has determined to use these funds in support of any otherwise eligible student whose 2019-20 Estimated Family Contribution (EFC) was calculated at $0 - $30,000.

How much funding will I receive?

Each student will be awarded an amount based on a tiered method devised by our Office of Business and Financial Affairs. Our methodology allows us to support approximately 70 percent of our student population. It provides the most assistance to our neediest students, as determined by the 2019-20 Estimated Family Contribution (EFC), in alignment with the stated intent of the CARES Act.

How will I receive funds?

Direct deposit is the fastest way to receive funding. If Spelman does not have your information, a paper check will be mailed to the "ST address" we have on file in Banner.

Can I request additional funding?

Award amounts are final, as funding is limited. For these reasons, additional funding cannot be requested. This is a one-time payment unless the federal government passes subsequent legislation that includes emergency funding for students. However, students who still have an unmet financial need are encouraged to submit an application for consideration of the Spelman Emergency Grant funds.

Who should I contact if I have additional questions?

Please contact the Financial Aid Office at 404-270-5222 and financialaid@spelman.edu, or you may contact your Financial Aid Advisor at:

Last Name begins with (A-D): Thresa Gay | tgay@spelman.edu | 404-270-5210

Last Name begins with (E –L): Lisa Berrien | lisaberrien@spelman.edu | 404-270-5209

Last Name begins with (M-U): Glorene Gibbons | ggibbons@spelman.edu | 404.270.5214

Last Name begins with (V-Z): Shelly McDonald | smcdon12@spelman.edu | 404-270-5219

If I am not eligible for these funds, are there other funds I may apply for if I have an emergency related to COVID-19?

You may apply for funds through our emergency grant application. We know some Spelman students are experiencing financial complications and want to provide every possible resource. Students are encouraged to submit an application for consideration of the Spelman Emergency Grant.

Total Number of Students Who Have Received Emergency Financial Aid Grant Under Section 18004(a)(1) of the CARES Act

Claimed Disbursements Total Amount Report Date
1,154 $ 1,135,604.58 6/26/2020
1,322 $ 1,282,576.18 7/31/2020
1,330 $ 1,291,300.76 8/26/2020
1,331 $ 1,292,373.57 9/25/2020
1,357 $ 1,329,741.18 12/29/2020
1,357 $ 1,402,147.00 3/26/2021

Spelman CARES Act Distribution Plan By EFC

Spelman has disbursed its entire amount of $1,402,147 received for students through the CARES Act.

EFC Range Student Count Disbursement Total Payout
$0- $5576 (Max PELL) 892 $1,178.94 $1,051,610.25
$5577 - $6000 24 $1,146.79 $27,523.06
$6001 - $7500 80 $1,054.77 $84,381.97
$7501 - $10000 83 $972.81 $80,743.43
$10,001 to $20,000 222 $472.00 $104,784.00
$20,001 to $30,000 133 $400.00 $53,200.00
Total 1434
% of total student enrollment 69%