NOTICE!
This government relief program is no longer available
Summer CARES Act Funding (MSI)
The Financial Aid Emergency Grant Application is now available for those Title IV qualified students who are eligible to receive funding from the CARES Act Grant. Laredo College students who were enrolled in the SUMMER 2020 semester and were impacted by the COVID -19 pandemic, which was declared on March 13, 2020, can submit this online application.
Laredo College has received the U.S. Department of Education Higher Education Emergency Relief Funds (HEERF) funded by the Coronavirus Aid Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act, which was passed by Congress and signed into law in March.
The CARES Act money will be distributed to students that meet certain requirements. These funds will be used to assist Title IV eligible students as part of the Federal Coronavirus Aid Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act to directly support Title IV eligible students who are facing financial challenges due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
Laredo College Title IV eligible students will have access to the U.S. Department of Education Higher Education Emergency Relief Funds. The CARES Act funds (MSI) will be used to address Financial Hardship (To include: Housing, Utilities, Lack of Educational Support, Food, Technology, Medical Expenses, Books, Supplies, Transportation expenses, Gas and Health Insurance) due to the COVID-19 epidemic.
Criteria for Summer CARES Act Funding (MSI)
- U.S. Citizen or an eligible non-citizen (including a U. S. National or Permanent Resident)
- Have completed a 2019 – 2020 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)
- Complete Verification, if selected
- Must meet Financial Aid Satisfactory Academic Progress (2.0 GPA and 67% completion rate)
- Be enrolled for at least 1 eligible credit hour or more in an eligible degree or certificate program for the Summer Session I 2020
- Summer Session II 2020 students do not qualify for the Summer Cares Act Funding - MSI
Summer Financial Hardship Allowable Expenses
- Food/Groceries
- Housing/Rent/Utilities/Mortgage (cell bill)
- Lack of Educational Support/Course Materials
- Technology (Internet Services, Online Books, Equipment, Software/Hardware, Hotspot Internet Devices, Laptop, etc)
- Health Care/Medical Expenses/Health insurance (co-pays)
- Childcare/Dependent Expenses
- Transportation (Gas/Uber, Vehicle Repairs, Insurance, etc.)
- Other
Laredo College Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund Report - MSI
- An acknowledgement 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 Summer CARES Act to provide Emergency Financial Aid Grants to students.
- 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.
- Laredo College has received the U.S. Department of Education Higher Education Emergency Relief Funds - Minority Serving Institutions. Laredo College received a total amount $562,640 which will be distributed to eligible Title IV students affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.
- The total amount of Emergency Financial Aid Grants distributed to students under Section 18004(a)(1) of the Summer CARES Act as of the date of submission (i.e., as of the 30-day Report and every 45 days thereafter).
- As of 08/2020, Laredo College has been distributed of $397,200 of CARES Act Funding Minority Serving Institutions.
- 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.
- Laredo College has identified approximately 860 Title IV eligible students to receive the CARES Act Funding Minority Serving Institutions.
- The total number of students who have received an Emergency Financial Aid Grant to students under Section 18004(a)(1) of the Summer CARES Act.
- Out of 860 Title IV eligible students 662 have received the CARES Act Funding Minority Serving Institutions.
- 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 Summer CARES Act.
- U.S. Citizen or an eligible non-citizen (including a U. S. National or Permanent Resident)
- Have completed a 2019 – 2020 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)
- Complete Verification, if selected
- Must meet Financial Aid Satisfactory Academic Progress (2.0 GPA and 67% completion rate)
- Be enrolled for at least 1 eligible credit hour or more in an eligible degree or certificate program for the Summer Session I 2020
- Summer Session II 2020 students do not qualify for the Summer Cares Act Funding - MSI
- Any instructions, directions, or guidance provided by the institution to students concerning the Emergency Financial Aid Grants.
- Laredo College will notify eligible students of the process and any additional requirements.
Q&A
- Do I need to complete a FAFSA to receive Summer CARES Act funds?
- Yes, students must have a successfully completed FAFSA on file. Students who have not filed a FAFSA, and are in need of financial assistance, should immediately file a 2019-2020 FAFSA.
- How do I know if I am eligible to file a FAFSA?
- The eligibility criteria to file a FAFSA, as outlined in Section 484 of the Higher Education Act (HEA), include but are not limited to the following:
- U.S. citizenship or eligible noncitizen
- Valid Social Security number
- Registration with Selective Services, if male
- High school diploma, GED, or completion of high school in an approved homeschool setting
- Can dual enrolled students be eligible for the Summer CARES Act Funding?
- No, unfortunately those students are not eligible.
- Can undocumented students and international students receive funds under the Summer CARES Act?
- No, international and undocumented students are not eligible for CARES Act funding.
- I am enrolled in an online program; do I qualify for CARES Act funds?
- Yes, you will be eligible for Summer CARES Act funds if you were enrolled in an online program after March 13, 2020.
- Are students enrolled in a non-degree or certificate program eligible for Summer CARES Act funds?
- No, only students enrolled in a degree-seeking program are eligible.
- Do I need to be meeting satisfactory academic standards (SAP) to receive funds?
- Yes, to be eligible for Summer CARES Act funding, you must meet Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP)standards, which are established by the Financial Aid & Veterans Affairs Services Center following Federal guidelines.
- I have an outstanding tuition/housing balance for the current semester; would these funds be applied to that balance?
- No, the funds will be sent directly to you.
- How long before I receive funds?
- Requests will be processed on a first-come, first-served basis.
- How will I receive funds if my request is approved?
- Direct deposit is the fastest way to receive your funds. If you do not have direct deposit with the Bursar’s Office, please request the BankMobile Option.
- Can these funds affect other aid that I have already received?
- No, Summer CARES Act Funds will not reduce your financial aid package.
- Are Summer CARES Act Funds taxable and included on a 1098-T?
- It’s unclear at this time, but it appears that these grants may be legally exempt from 1098-T reporting and exempt from taxation altogether.
- How much funding is available?
- We will keep you updating on the award amounts for each student.
- If I have an institutional debt (Emergency Loans, TPEG Loans, Return 2 Title IV, Installment Plan, etc), will I have to use the Summer CARES Act Emergency Funding to cover this debt(s)?
- No, the Summer CARES Act requires institutions to provide the emergency financial aid grants to student. It will be up to the student to use the CARES Act Emergency Funding to pay the outstanding balance.
