CARES Act Funding for Qualified Students

Jefferson State Distributes CARES Act Emergency Financial Aid to Eligible Students

Coronavirus Aid 5 20Jefferson State has begun the process of distributing financial aid to eligible students from the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act based on guidelines issued by the U.S. Department of Education. The CARES Act Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund provides funding to institutions to provide emergency financial aid grants to students whose lives have been disrupted, many of whom are facing financial challenges and struggling to make ends meet.

The funds from Jefferson State will provide economic relief for students who were enrolled in one or more traditional classroom courses when COVID-19 measures were instituted and instruction was moved to online delivery. Funds provided are intended to help students with cost of attendance expenses such as food, housing, course materials, technology, health care and childcare.

Jefferson State has signed and returned the certification and agreement form to the Department of Education. The college has sent 50 percent of the CARES Act funds directly to students in the form of Emergency Financial Aid Grants.

Questions & Answers

How much CARES Act emergency funding was provided to Jefferson State students?
The college has received and has begun distributing a total of $1,864,939 in CARES Act funds to eligible students. Checks will be mailed to students at the current address on record.

How many Jefferson State Students were eligible for the CARES Act funds?
Jefferson State distributed Emergency Financial Aid Grants to 3,726 students. Out of the pool of students who transitioned to online classes, this is the number of students who qualified for funding.

Who is eligible for the Jefferson State CARES Act funding?
Students who meet all of the following criteria:
– Students who have earned their High School Diploma or GED
– Students who are enrolled in an eligible degree or certificate program
– Students for whom the college has a valid Social Security number
– Students who were enrolled in the spring semester in at least one on-campus class (or college-designated location) that transitioned to distance learning
– Students whose citizenship is designated as Resident or Permanent Resident
– Students who have a FAFSA on file or the College was able to verify selective service registration for males.
– Students who have met Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) requirements.

Who is not eligible for the Jefferson State CARES Act funding?
– Students who completely withdrew
– Students who are required but not registered with Selective Service.
– Dual-enrollment students
– Transient students

What is the financial amount each qualified Jefferson State student will receive?
Jefferson State divided the grant total by the number of eligible students and determined that the 3,726 students would receive $500.52 each in an Emergency Financial Aid Grant.

How are students notified if they are eligible for funding?
Jefferson State emailed all students deemed eligible for the funding, notifying them to verify their mailing address and update it if necessary, using a designated online form.