UAFS CARES Act Response
CARES Act Reporting
This is the final report for HEERF Section 18004(a)(1) Student Portion. As of September 30, 2020, all funds have been expended. (Updated October 9, 2020)
Item #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).
- $3,191,307.37
- $2,755,652.00 came from the Student Portion and $435,655.37 came from the Institutional Portion.
Item #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 Section18004(a)(1) of the CARES Act.
- Approximately 4,140 students eligible to participate
Item #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.
- 3,429 total students received awards
Quarterly Budget and Expenditure Report for quarter ending September 30, 2020
Quarterly Budget and Expenditure Report for quarter ending December 31, 2020
Who qualifies for CARES funds?
- Must have FAFSA on file (or be eligible to file a FAFSA in the 2019-2020 academic year*)
- Must be making Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) as defined in the UAFS SAP Policy
- Must not have been enrolled in an exclusively online program on March 13, 2020
- Not a concurrent or WATC (Western Arkansas Technical Center) student
- Not a transient student
- Not a 60+ waiver recipient
- Not an international or non-citizen student
How much money will I receive?
The amount received will vary depending on several factors. The Department of Education asked us to prioritize students who already demonstrated financial need through Pell Grant eligibility and awards and the students who were most disrupted, such as those living on campus or graduating in May 2020 due to the change in campus operations as a result of COVID-19.
We created this formula, which has been shared with the Board of Trustees of the University of Arkansas System, to distribute the funds:
- Students who lived on campus as of March 13, 2020: $1,000
- Students who received Pell Grants in spring 2020: $500
- Students who are eligible for CARES funds: $400
- Graduating seniors: $100
CARES Act Frequently Asked Questions:
What are some examples of how much funding I might receive?
Example 1: I am eligible for the grant, and I am a graduating senior, living on campus, and I received a Pell Grant. Award amount: $2,000
Example 2: I am eligible for the grant, graduating in May 2020, and did not live on campus or receive the Pell grant in spring 2020. Award: $500
Example 3: I think I am eligible, did not fill out the FAFSA, not graduating in May 2020, and I lived on campus. Award amount, if eligible: $1,400
Example 4: On March 13 all of my classes were online (not face-to-face or hybrid with some face-to-face delivery), but I did complete a FAFSA and received a Pell Grant. Award: $0, not qualified because classes were already fully-online only
How will I get the money?
-
Log into my.uafs.edu, click Students tab
- Click Student Services (A+)
- Click Make a Payment Now (green circle), sign into Portal Login if requested
- Click Refunds, click Set Up Account
- Enter your Account/Billing Information, click Continue
- Verify your information, click I Agree, click Continue
Direct deposit information must be entered by May 10, 2020 to be used for depositing the funds.
Do I need to complete an application to qualify for or receive the funds?
I owe the university money. May I use the emergency funds to pay my past due balance?
Yes. Once you receive the funds through direct deposit or as a check, you are encouraged to pay your past due balance to the university so that you do not encounter a registration or transcript hold in the future. UAFS is not authorized to directly apply CARES Act funds toward any outstanding balances that may still be owed by a student.
When will I get the money?
Although we have not yet received the funds from the federal government, we plan to begin disbursing funds to students at the next week (around May 15). Banks vary in the amount of time between disbursement and showing funds available in your account, so please check with your bank. Of course, paper checks will be written and mailed to your current mailing address, so please ensure that your address is correct and allow additional time for mail delivery.
What if my expenses due to the disruption to campus operation are more than the amount I believe I will receive?
Example 2: I lost my job at the mall in Fort Smith due to Coronavirus and need to pay rent. Award: $0 because the loss of an off-campus job is not a result of the “disruption of campus operations.”
What is the University’s policy on Satisfactory Academic Progress?
I did not live on campus on March 13, but I purchased a plan which I did not get to use. Do I qualify for the $1,000 given to students who lived on campus?
No, but you may want to submit evidence that shows unused meals/money on your commuter meal plan through the CARES Act Student Emergency Aid form which will be available on NumaLink beginning on May 11, 2020. The committee reviewing these applications for additional funds due to the disruption of campus may elect to award funds for this purpose assuming funds are available.