Everglades University CARES Act Student Emergency Grants Policy
Everglades University has adopted a flexible approach to administering emergency grants to students negatively impacted by the COVID-19 economic crisis. In creating this policy, the University seeks to achieve five goals:
- To expeditiously develop and implement a plan to distribute CARES Act funds to Everglades University Students.
- To adhere to CARES Act requirements and Department of Education interpretive guidance in distributing funds.
- To create a process for awarding of funds that is defensible, replicable, and equitable – a process which will stand up to predictable future scrutiny (auditors, legislators, media, etc.).
- To distribute funds in a manner that best ensures student support in light of COVID-19 and economic challenges.
- To utilize existing processes and automate the awarding, distribution, and tracking process to the greatest degree possible.
Eligibility
Title IV (federal financial aid) Status
Only students who are or could be eligible to participate in programs under Section 484 in Title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965, as amended (HEA), may receive emergency financial aid grants. If a student has filed a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), then the student has demonstrated this portion of eligibility.
The criteria to participate in programs under Section 484 of the HEA include but are not limited to the following: U.S. citizenship or eligible noncitizen; a valid Social Security number; registration with Selective Service (if the student is male); and a high school diploma, GED, or completion of high school in an approved homeschool setting. To determine eligibility, follow this link.
Military Veterans
EU students receiving military benefits to pay for their education who have not completed a FAFSA will receive the maximum grant for their enrollment status as part-time or full-time. Those who have completed a FAFSA will be awarded CARES Act grants as according to the procedure outlined under “Initial Grants” below.
Online Enrollment
If a student was enrolled exclusively in an online program on March 13, 2020, the date of the President’s Proclamation, “Declaring a National Emergency Concerning the Novel Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) Outbreak,” Federal Register Vol. 85, No. 53 at 1533738, he/she are not eligible for CARES Act emergency financial aid grants.
Student Status
A student must have been enrolled as a full-time or part-time degree seeking student, and not enrolled 100% online, on March 13, 2020 to receive Initial Grant Aid I & II.
Initial Grant Aid – Phase I
In an effort to distribute aid to students in an expeditious manner, and recognizing that EU students disproportionately rely on income from the stifled Florida service economy, all eligible full-time and part-time EU students with an Expected Family Contribution (“EFC” generated by FAFSA application) will receive a one time grant. In order to qualify for this funding, students must have been enrolled as full-time or part-time degree seeking students, or on a University-approved leave of absence, on March 13, 2020.
One-time grant awards for EU students meeting all eligibility requirements will be made as follows:
- Full-time with EFC of $0 – $5,501 (“Pell eligible” for undergraduate students) = $700
- Part-time with EFC of $0 – $5,000 (“Pell eligible” for undergraduate students) = $350
- Full-time with EFC of $$5,502 – $15,000 = $500
- Part-time with EFC of $5,001 – $15,000 = $250
Students automatically received grant funds via check or direct deposit, depending on the preference indicated at registration.
Approximately 96% of CARES Act funds specified for students were distributed through Initial Grant Aid Phase I and students received notification of their grant awards, via EU email account, by June 5, 2020.
Grant Aid – Phase II
In an expanded effort to distribute aid to students in an expeditious manner, and recognizing that all EU students rely on income from the stifled Florida service economy, all eligible full-time and part-time EU students with an Expected Family Contribution (“EFC” generated by FAFSA application) received a Phase II grant. In order to qualify for this funding, students must have been enrolled as full-time or part-time degree seeking students, or on a University-approved leave of absence, on March 13, 2020. Additionally, 100% online students were not eligible for CARES Act student grants.
One-time grant awards for EU students meeting all eligibility requirements will be made as follows:
- Full-time with EFC of >$15,001 = $375
- Part-time with EFC of >$15,001 = $188
Students automatically received grant funds via check or direct deposit, depending on the preference indicated at registration.
Approximately 4% of CARES Act funds specified for students were distributed through Grant Aid – Phase II, bringing the cumulative total of CARES Act student aid funds expended to 100%. Students received notification of their grant awards, via EU email account, on or before June 30th, 2020.
