May 5, 2020
Dear Spelmanites and Families,
We hope that this communication finds you well and that you are finding some comfort in knowing that as the 2020 Spring semester comes to a close, you have risen to the challenge with grace, dignity and perseverance under great strain and stress. Congratulations!
You have heard from us that funding to support emergency grants to students was forthcoming from the federal government through the CARES Act. Today, we are happy to report that the College received approximately $1.4 million to support student emergency grants.
In this communication, we will share:
1. Who should expect to receive funds
2. How we will distribute the funds
3. When to expect to receive funds
Who is Eligible to Receive Funds?
In efforts to ensure that approximately 70 percent of our student population will receive a share of the funding, the College has established a tiered method of distribution based on Expected Family Contribution (EFC) as reported on the 2019-2020 Free Application For Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Based on this methodology, students with an EFC
that is $30,000 or less are eligible to receive Spelman College CARES Act Student Emergency Grant funds.
Additionally, the U.S. Department of Education has set forth guidelines to which the College must abide to determine grant eligibility.
1. Students must be eligible to participate in programs under Section 484 in Title IV of the Higher Education
Act of 1965, as amended (HEA). For purposes of disbursal of these funds, the College will base determination of eligibility on the existence of the student’s 2019-2020 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).
2. Students must be United States citizens (or eligible non-citizens).
3. Students must use funds for eligible expenses related to the disruption of campus operations due to coronavirus to include food, housing, course materials, technology, health care and childcare (CARES Act Section 18004(c).
4. Students must meet Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) requirements, as outlined by Financial Aid guidelines.
How Do I Receive Funds?
Students identified by the Office of Financial Aid as initially eligible (based on the above guidelines) will receive notification via e-mail by Wednesday, May 6, 2020. Students must follow the link provided within the e-mail to certify that funds awarded will be used for allowable expenses. Funds will not be disbursed to students who have not submitted a certification form. We are asking all students who receive a notification to submit their form by Monday, May 11, 2020.
Upon
receipt of the certification form, funds will be disbursed via direct deposit or check to students. If you have not set up direct deposit, for expediency, we encourage you to do so by logging into the Student Accounts
portal.
When Can I Expect to Receive the Funds?
The College will process fund disbursements, Friday, May 8, 2020, through Friday, May 22, 2020.
If you do not receive an eligibility e-mail, but based on the criteria outlined above, believe that you are eligible to receive funds, please contact the Office of Financial Aid at 404.270.5222 or financialaid@spelman.edu.
If you have submitted a certification form and have not received funds by Saturday, May 30, 2020, please contact the Office of Student Accounts at studentaccount@spelman.edu.
We have provided FAQs for your awareness and information here.
Sincerely,
Dawn Alston
CFO & Vice President of Business and Financial Affairs
Ingrid Hayes
Vice President for Enrollment Management
