Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act
The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act provides funding for the Blinn College District to distribute emergency grant funds to eligible students. Blinn signed the Certification and Agreement form and submitted it to the Department of Education in order to receive funds for Emergency Financial Aid Grants to eligible students under Section 18004(a)(1) of the CARES Act.
The Department of Education established the rules and regulations regarding who is eligible to receive CARES Act funds. Those eligibility requirements are discussed in further detail below. Due to the Department of Education rules, Blinn is requiring that all students complete and submit a 2020-2021 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) if one is not already on file as the first step in determining eligibility to receive CARES Act funds. In accordance with Department of Education rules, Blinn will use the information from the FAFSA to determine the eligibility status of students to receive CARES Act funds.
Students are eligible to receive a maximum award of $1,000 in CARES Act grant funds as long as funds are available. Students who have a Pell Grant eligible EFC (expected family contribution) will receive a block grant of $1,000.
A total of $7,070,956 has been allocated and approved to be distributed to eligible students for Emergency Financial Aid grants, and an estimated 14,000 students enrolled in Spring 2020 could be eligible for CARES Act grant funds. As of August 13, 2020, Blinn has distributed $7,070,956 in CARES Act funds to 7,901 students.
Disbursement amounts by quarter:
- July 10, 2020: $4,566,991
- Oct 10, 2020: $2,503,965 for a total of $7,070,956
- January 10, 2021: $0.00
- April 10, 2021: $0.00
Expenses may be considered for CARES Act emergency grant assistance if they were incurred in “direct relation to the disruption of campus operations due to the coronavirus.” These may include:
- Technology Needed to Support Remote Learning (such as the purchase of a computer, webcam, or upgraded Internet speed)
- Food/Groceries
- Rent and/or Utilities
- Childcare Expenses
- Course Materials
- Transportation (such as flying home because classes were canceled)
The Higher Education Emergency Relief Grants under the CARES Act are based on eligible student expenses related to the disruption of campus operations due to the coronavirus (COVID-19), and funding is not tied to existing financial aid programs such as Pell Grants. All funds are distributed directly to students as quickly as possible.
To be considered for CARES Act aid, students must be enrolled in the Spring 2020 semester. The deadline to complete the 2019-20 FAFSA is June 30, 2020. Students who have completed the FAFSA and are eligible to receive CARES Act funds will receive an email from the Financial Aid Office with application instructions.
To be eligible for CARES Act Emergency Aid, students must:
- Complete and submit a 2019-2020 FAFSA by June 30, 2020, if one is not already on file
- Be a U.S. citizen or eligible non-citizen (i.e., eligible to receive federal Title IV aid).
- Not have been enrolled exclusively in online programs for the Spring semester on or prior to March 12, 2020.
- Meet Satisfactory Academic Progress
- Not be in default on a federal student loan or owe an overpayment on any federal grant.
- Have a high school diploma or GED.
- Have a valid Social Security number.
- Be registered with Selective Service (if required).
- Not have a conviction for the possession or sale of illegal drugs for an offense that occurred while you were receiving federal student aid (such as grants, work-study, or loans).
Fall 2020
Students who meet the eligibility requirements may apply for CARES Act emergency aid and will have the application posted as a requirement on their financial aid checklist. As a reminder, the maximum award of CARES Act aid is $1,000 per eligible student. Blinn College has $2,503,991 in remaining CARES Act grant funding to distribute for the Fall 2020 semester. Grant funds will be awarded on a first-come, first-served basis as long as funds are available. Once all CARES Act grant funds are awarded the application will be closed. Due to limited funding, not all CARES Act grant applicants will be awarded.
Spring 2020
Round 1
Students who meet the eligibility requirements and whose Expected Family Contribution (EFC) from the FAFSA is equal or less than $5,500 automatically will be awarded $750 for the Spring 2020 semester. This disbursement will take place without any action required on the part of the eligible student. Students will be emailed once the funds have disbursed to their account.
Round 2
Students who meet the eligibility requirements may apply for CARES Act emergency aid and will have the application posted as a requirement on their 2019-20 financial aid checklist. This application is open to students who already received $750 in CARES Act grant funds in the first round and to students who did not receive funding in Round 1. As a reminder, the maximum award of CARES Act aid is $1,000 per eligible student.
Students must have their current FAFSA sent to Blinn College and meet all eligibility criteria. Eligible students will be notified by the Financial Aid Office to complete an online application. For more information, email finaid@blinn.edu or call 979-209-7230 or 979-830-4144.
