IMPORTANT APPLICATION UPDATE AS OF 11-18-20: SUNY Cobleskill has a limited amount of remaining CARES Act funding available to award to students enrolled in the Fall 2020 semester. Students who already received a CARES Act check are not eligible to re-apply. Applications can be submitted until December 4, 2020. A 2020-21 FAFSA must be on file. All other eligibility requirements listed below must be met.
The application is no longer available.
The Federal Government has established the Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund (HEERF) under the CARES Act which was signed by President Trump on March 27, 2020. This fund will allow SUNY Cobleskill to provide emergency grants to students experiencing financial hardship specifically due to the disruption of campus operations as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. SUNY Cobleskill has completed the Certification and Agreement for this funding with the assurance that we will use no less than 50% of the funds received under Section 18004(a)(1) of the CARES Act to provide emergency grants for students. Here are some facts regarding this funding.
- SUNY Cobleskill has been awarded $2,747,860 of which $1,373,930 (50%) is designated for emergency grants for students.
- We have identified 1,706 students with potential eligibility who were enrolled in the spring semester. These students received an email with the application link when the application was available. The application requires students to log in with their Cobleskill network ID.
- A priority deadline to submit applications will be two weeks from the date that the application is made available, however applications will continue to be accepted on a rolling basis until all funds are depleted.
ELIGIBILITY
Student must be eligible to receive Title IV (federal) financial aid in order to be approved for a federal Cares Act grant. If you were awarded and declined Direct Stafford Loans you are still Title IV eligible.
Title IV Eligibility includes:
- US Citizen or eligible non-citizen
- Met Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) requirements for the Spring 2020 or Fall 2020 semester
- You are currently enrolled in a degree seeking program (part-time or full-time) or you were matriculated and enrolled during the Spring 2020 or Fall 2020 semester
- Not in default of any federal student loans
- Have an official 2019-20 or 2020-21 FAFSA on file and submitted any additional required documentation to the Student Financial Services Office
Students must have incurred expenses specifically due to the disruption of campus operations as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. The funding must be utilized for the expenses that are requested. Allowable expenses may include:
- Food
- Housing
- Course Materials
- Technology
- Travel
- Healthcare
- Childcare
- Other expenses may be allowed with proper justification
HOW TO APPLY
Students who have potential eligibility receive multiple emails with a link to the online application. The application was available on the College's CARES Act web page.
DETERMINATION OF AWARDS
Once a student has been determined eligible for a CARES Act emergency grant, a committee will make an award determination that is based on:
- the actual expenses incurred by the student and
- the Expected Family Contribution (EFC) calculated by the FAFSA.
Under Section 18004(a)(1) of the CARES Act, students received awards ranging from $225 to $4,450. Funds are limited. Priority consideration was given to students who applied before the priority deadline and had the greatest financial need.
OTHER IMPORTANT INFORMATION
- This funding will not have an impact on your current or future financial aid eligibility.
- Federal CARES Act emergency grants do not need to be repaid.
- Any additional questions about the CARES Act grant application process at SUNY Cobleskill should be sent to financialaid@cobleskill.edu.
Required Federal Reporting Data for Student Grants:
- 30 day report ending 5/22/2020 - 0 students received grants under Section 18004(a)(1) of the CARES Act totaling $0 dollars
- Quarterly report as of 9/30/2020 - 1287 students received grants under Section 18004(a)(1) of the CARES Act totaling $1,257,113 for a cumulative total of 1287 students receiving $1,257,113.
- Quarterly report as of 12/31/2020 - 91 students (includes duplicates) received grants under Section 18004(a)(1) of the CARES Act totaling $89,699 for a cumulative total of 1375 students receiving $1,346,812.
- Quarterly report as of 3/30/2021 - 1 student (includes duplicates) received grants
under Section 18004(a)(1) of the CARES Act totaling $1,000 for a cumulative total
of 1375 students receiving $1,347,812.