CARES Act: Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund: Student Aid

Atlantic University has signed an agreement with the Federal Department of Education to receive the funds allocated under section 18004(a)(1) of the CARES Act. This Act establishes and finances the Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund. 

Section 18004(c) of the CARES Act requires that fifty percent of funds have to be used to provide emergency financial aid grants to students to cover  expenses related to disruption of campus operations due to coronaviruses including:cost of food, housing, course materials, technology, healthcare, and childcare. The total amount of Emergency Financial Aid Grants to Students that was received is $1,696,162.00. These funds are being distributed to qualifying students through direct deposit at the rate of $1,080.00 per student.

The estimated number of students eligible to participate in programs under Section 484 in Title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965 and eligible to receive Emergency Financial Aid Grants to Students under Section 18004(a)(1) of the CARES Act is 1,570.

The total estimated number of students who will receive an Emergency Financial Aid Grant to Students under Section 18004(a)(1) of the CARES Act, is 1,573.

Updated September 30 of 2020.

The following criteria determine the distribution of aid to students:

• Be enrolled in a program leading to grade.
• Must have completed the 2019-2020 FAFSA. (Students, who do not receive a Pell Grant, could be eligible for CARES Act funds, after being evaluated).
• Students cannot be delinquent on a federal student loan.
• Must be a United States Citizen.
• Must be registered with the Selective Service (males over 18 years old).

The institution has determined to distribute the aid to all  students in an equitable way.