One section of the CARES Act established the Higher Education Emergency Relief fund for schools to use for emergency financial aid grants to students for expenses related to the disruption of campus operations due to the pandemic. Texas Southmost College (TSC) has received a total of $1,804,140 to be used as emergency relief for students who are eligible under the CARES Act.
1. As of 5/27/2020, TSC has distributed to students the total amount of $1,246,800 for the Emergency Financial Aid Grants under Section 18004(a)(1) of the CARES Act.
2. The estimated total number of 3,133 students at TSC are 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.
3. As of 5/27/2020, the total number of 3,117 students have received an Emergency Financial Aid Grant to students under Section 18004(a)(1) of the CARES Act.
What does the CARES Act funding cover?
The following is a list of expenses that can be considered for grant assistance if they were “related to the disruption of campus operations due to the coronavirus.”
- Food
- Housing
- Course materials
- Technology (such as having to buy a computer when courses were moved online)
- Health care
- Child care
- Transportation
Who is Eligible?
Students who meet all criteria below are eligible to apply:
1. Working towards a degree or certificate at Texas Southmost College.
2. Students enrolled in Spring 2020 who are eligible to participate in programs under Section 484 in Title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965
Updates and notifications from the CARES Act:
https://ifap.ed.gov/electronic-announcements/050620HigherEdEmergencyReliefFundRptg
Are there other funds to help students?
Texas Southmost College does offer additional support to students through the TSC Foundation, private donors, federal, state, and institutional grants. TSC cares for its students and will do all it can to help them during this difficult time. Students may apply for aid from the CARES Act and other support.