CARES Act Posting Requirements June 2020

The following information is posted in accordance with Section 18004(e) of the CARES Act.

1. LSCO developed an online application, Application for COVID-19 Emergency Aid, that allowed students to apply for the CARES Act funded financial aid allocation.
   1. Students were required to submit a completed application to be considered.
   2. Applications were available by May 1, 2020 through May 15, 2020. Awards were issued May 27, 2020.
   3. Students were notified via LSCO student email of their award status.
   4. Students received either a check or a direct deposit for the award. 
   5. A second round of applications were available May 16, 2020 through May 29, 2020. Awards were issued June 9, 2020.
2. Lamar State College Orange (LSCO) signed and returned to the Department of Education, the Certification and Agreement statement. LSCO will use no less than 50 percent of the funds received under Section 18004(a)(1) of the CARES Act to provide Emergency Financial Aid Grants to students.
3. LSCO received $521,660 from the Department of Education pursuant to the institution’s Certification and Agreement for Emergency Financial Aid Grants to Students.
4. The total amount of Emergency Financial Aid Grants distributed to students under Section 18004(a)(1) of the CARES Act as of May 24, 2020 was $0. The total amount of Emergency Financial Aid Grants distributed to students under Section 18004(a)(1) of the CARES Act as of June 24, 2020 is $400,000. The Institutional portion of the CARES Act will fund the additional Emergency Financial Aid Grants as scholarships for Summer 2020 to all qualifying students. Total award amounts will be updated every 45 days.
5. As of May 24, 2020, an estimated 750 students at LSCO were potentially 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.
6. As of June 24, 2020, the total number of students who will receive an Emergency Financial Aid Grant to students under Section 18004(a)(1) of the CARES Act is 400, based on completed applications. Disbursements to the round 1 applicants occurred on May 27, 2020. Disbursements to round 2 applicants occurred on June 9, 2020.
7. The method used by LSCO to determine which students receive Emergency Financial Aid Grants and how much they would receive under Section 18004(a)(1) of the CARES Act is based on the following:
   1. Distribution of emergency aid funds will be considered for LSCO students that:
      1. Have incurred expenses related to the disruption of campus activities due to COVID-19;
      2. Are enrolled in LSCO during the Spring 2020 Semester in a face-to-face class, a face-to-face lab, a combination of face-to-face and online, or clinical courses;
      3. Have filed a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA); 
         1. Did not file a FAFSA but are eligible if they:
            1. Are a U.S. citizen or eligible non-citizen (i.e., eligible to receive federal Title IV aid).
            2. Are (or have been) enrolled in a degree-seeking associate or certificate program for Spring 2020.
            3. Are not enrolled exclusively in online courses for the spring semester on or prior to March 13, 2020.
            4. Meet Satisfactory Academic Progress requirements.
            5. Are not be in default on a federal student loan or owe an overpayment on any federal grant.
            6. Have a high school diploma, GED, or completion of high school in an approved homeschool setting.
            7. Have a valid Social Security number.
            8. Are registered with Selective Service (if required).
            9. Are not have a federal or state conviction for drug possession or sale.
            10. Complete a FAFSA so college can determine eligibility.
      4. International students, high school dual credit students, and incarcerated students are not eligible for CARES funding. 
   2. COVID-19 Emergency Aid Amounts
      1. Awards will be issued on first come first serve basis.
      2. The estimated minimum award amount was $500.
      3. An estimated maximum award was $1000.
      4. As of June 24, 2020, $121,600 is available.