CARES ACT REPORTING INFORMATION

 

The following information is provided as required by the U.S. Department of Education in relation to Philander Smith College’s disbursement of funds received under the CARES Act.

1.    An acknowledgment that the institution signed and returned to the Department the Certification and Agreement and the assurance that the institution has used, or intends to 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.

Philander Smith College submitted the Certification and Agreement to the U.S. Department of Education on 4-14-2020.

2.    The total amount of funds that the institution will receive or has received from the Department pursuant to the institution’s Certification and Agreement [for] Emergency Financial Aid Grants to Students.

Philander Smith College has received $1,071,837.

3.    The total amount of Emergency Financial Aid Grants distributed to students under Section 18004(a)(1) of the CARES Act as of the date of submission (i.e., as of the 30-day Report and every 45 days thereafter).

The total amount of direct aid distributed by Philander Smith College to students under the CARES Act is $520,750 as of May 14, 2020.

4.    The estimated total number of students at the institution eligible to participate in programs under Section 484 in Title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965 and thus eligible to receive Emergency Financial Aid Grants to students under Section 18004(a)(1) of the CARES Act.

Philander Smith College has an estimated 844 students eligible under Section 484 in Title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965.

5.    The total number of students who have received an Emergency Financial Aid Grant to students under Section 18004(a)(1) of the CARES Act.

As of May 14, 2020, 822 Philander Smith College students have received CARES Act funding.

6.    The method(s) used by the institution to determine which students receive Emergency Financial Aid Grants and how much they would receive under Section 18004(a)(1) of the CARES Act.

Philander Smith College utilized a hybrid distribution methodology comprised of two components:

                                 i.         CARES Act Direct Aid

To provide quick emergency aid to help offset educational costs that students experienced because of the pandemic, Philander Smith College disbursed approximately half of its HEERF distribution to eligible students in the following allotments:

 

(Based on student enrollment during Spring 2020 Semester, as of March 13th.)

o   $650:  12 hours or more

o   $490:  9-11 hours

o   $320:  6-8 hours

o   $160:  3-5 hours

·       See CARES Fund Frequently Asked Questions for eligibility requirements and additional information.

 

                                         ii.          CARES Act Aid Application

The second method to receive funds is through the CARES Act Aid Application. Eligible undergraduates may apply to receive reimbursement of COVID-19 related expenses through the CARES Act Aid Application. This application process will be open to students during the 2020 Fall Semester.

7. Any instructions, directions, or guidance provided by the institution to students concerning the Emergency Financial Aid Grants.

On May 7, 2020, the linked information was emailed to students:  https://www.philander.edu/caresact