UNA CARES Act Funding Distribution

June 30, 2021

 

As a result of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, UNA received $8,666,299 in relief funding. At a minimum, $2,501,324 is to be distributed by UNA as direct payments to students who demonstrate significant need to aid in covering any component of the students’ cost of attendance (COA).  UNA will provide these direct payments to students in two steps, as outlined in this funding distribution plan.

 

PART I

 

CARES Act Part I Policies

Students who will receive automatic relief in the form of a one-time monetary payment will be those who have demonstrated financial need, as determined by their Expected Family Contribution (EFC) from their Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), their current Spring 2021 enrollment status, and federal aid acceptance.  Students who were enrolled exclusively in online courses were included in the fund distribution.

 

2,686 students at UNA will qualify to receive payments for a total of $2,502,877 in direct payments to students, as detailed in the chart below. These payments must go directly to the student.

Eligible Students

 

EFC

Payment Amount

Number of Students

Total Payment

Tier 1

0 – 5,699

$1,117

1731

$1,933,527

Tier 2

6,000 - 10,000

$850

251

$213,350

Tier 3

10,000 – 15,000

$650

196

$127,400

Tier 4

>15,000

$450

508

$226,600

 

 

CARES Act Part I Procedures

The following steps outline the process for Part I of this distribution plan. A collaborative effort between the Vice President of Financial Affairs, Controller’s Office, Financial Aid Office, and the Office of Student Accounts will allow UNA to promptly distribute these advanced funds in the form of emergency financial aid grants to students, as directed by the U.S. Secretary of Education.

  1. Identify students in each Tier mentioned above.
  2. The Office of Student Financial aid will email each potential recipient with instructions on how to accept the CARES Act Relief Fund Agreement. The deadline to accept the funds is February 28, 2021
  3. Office of Student Accounts will distribute these payments directly to students once the agreement has been accepted.

 


 

PART II

 

In addition to Part I funding allocations, the University of 杏吧直播间 Alabama has a COVID-19 Emergency Relief Fund Application.  Students who have encountered a financial need as a direct result of the COVID-19 pandemic should utilize this application to apply for emergency relief funding. There is approximately $411,224 in emergency grants available in Part II.

 

CARES Act Part II Policies

 

  1. In order to be eligible to receive this funding, a student must be currently enrolled at UNA for the Spring 2020 semester (not in only online courses) and eligible to receive Title IV funding.
  2. Students who receive funding during Part I of this funding distribution plan are eligible to apply for additional relief during Part II.  The deadline to apply for additional funding is June 30, 2020.
  3. In most scenarios, Part II grants will be capped at $850 unless extreme extenuating circumstances are presented.  In no circumstances will a grant(s) to any student exceed the maximum 2019-2020 Pell Grant award of $6,195, as suggested by Secretary DeVos in her letter to College and University Presidents on April 9, 2020.

 

CARES Act Part II Procedures

 

  1. A student must complete the online COVID-19 Emergency Relief Fund Application and provide applicable supporting documentation.
  • Examples of supporting documentation include, but are not limited to, notification of a layoff due to COVID-19, utility bills, bank statements, etc.
  1. Once a student has submitted an application, the Emergency Relief Fund committee will review the application and supporting documentation. This committee is comprised of members from Business & Finance, Financial Aid Office, Student Affairs and University Advancement.
  2. A student will hear from the committee within 7-10 business days. If a student’s request is approved, funding will be disbursed to their student account and the Office of Student Accounts will send the funding to the student via direct deposit or a paper check within 3-5 business days.