CARES: Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (HEERF I)

Student Aid

The CARES Act Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund-IHE/Student Aid provides funding to institutions to provide emergency financial aid grants to students whose lives have been disrupted, many of whom are facing financial challenges and struggling to make ends meet. Students cannot apply for assistance directly from the U.S. Department of Education but should contact their institutions for further information and guidance. Institutions have the responsibility of determining how grants will be distributed to students, how the amount of each student grant is calculated, and the development of any instructions or directions that are provided to students about the grant.

Updated: July 7, 2021
Former Reports: 30 Day Report (May 2020)
45 Day Report (July 2020)
45 Day Report (August 2020)
45 Day Report (September 2020)
Quarterly Report (December 2020)
Quarterly Report (March 2021)
Final Quarterly Report (June 2021)

Accordingly, the following information must appear in a format and location that is easily accessible to the public 30 days after the date when the institution received its allocation under 18004(a)(1) and updated every 45 days thereafter, and quarterly as of 2020:

An acknowledgment that the institution signed and returned to the Department the Certification and Agreement and the assurance that the institution has used, or intends to 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.

On April 15, 2020, San Antonio College’s President, Dr. Robert H. Vela, Jr., signed and returned the Certification and Agreement for the Emergency Financial Aid Grants to Students of the Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund (HEERF) authorized by Section 18004(a)(1) of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act to the U.S. Department of Education. In accordance with this certification and agreement, San Antonio College assures its intent to use no less than 50 percent of the Federal funding received under Section 18004(a)(1) of the CARES Act to provide Emergency Financial Aid grants to students.

The total amount of funds that the institution will receive or has received from the Department pursuant to the institution’s Certification and Agreement [for] Emergency Financial Aid Grants to Students.

FUND	COLLEGE	FUND CODE	ALLOCATION	ALLOC %	AVAILABLE ALLOC
HCAR	SAC	HCAR11	$ 3,824,127.00	100.0%	$ 3,824,127.00
	SPC	HCAR12	$ 1,713,753.00	100.0%	$ 1,713,753.00
	PAC	HCAR13	$ 1,620,472.00	100.0%	$ 1,620,472.00
	NVC	HCAR14	$ 3,463,310.00	100.0%	$ 3,463,310.00
	NLC	HCAR15	$ 671,722.00	100.0%	$ 671,722.00
	TTL/AVG		$ 11,293,384.00		$ 11,293,384.00

The total amount of Emergency Financial Aid Grants distributed to students under Section 18004(a)(1) of the CARES Act as of the date of submission (i.e., as of the 30-day Report and every 45 days thereafter, and quarterly as of 2020.). [See Chart Below]

The total number of students who have received an Emergency Financial Aid Grant to students under Section 18004(a)(1) of the CARES Act. [See Chart Below]

San Antonio College CARES Act Statistics – 6/30/2021 (Final)
General Statistics of CARES Act Recipients
San Antonio College

Gender	Count
Male	1,929
Female	4,125
Average Age of Recipients	26.84
Student Type	Count
Concurrent High School	0
Continuing	5,903
Early College High School	<10
New First Time	10
Returning, Former	98
Transfer	33
Transfer Military	0
Transfer, Former	<10
Transient	<10
Undeclared	<10
Total	6,054
Count of New Ethnicity	Count
Hispanic or Latino	4,180
Not Disclosed	<10
Not Hispanic or Latino	1,872
Total	6,054
Residency	Count
Foreign on a VISA	<10
In District	5,513
Military Dep- Non TX Res	18
Military Dep-TX in Dist	<10
Military Dep-TX Out of Dist	<10
Military- Non TX Res	15
Military TX- Out of Dist	<10
Military TX-In District	<10
Out of District-In State	430
Out of State	34
TX Res HB 1403 s2 In District	<10
TX Res HB 1403 s2 Out of Dist	0
TX Res HB 1403 s4 In Dist	14
TX Res HB 1403 s4 Out of Dist	0
Vet/Dep VABen In Dist	<10
Vet/Dep VABen Out of Dist	<10
Total	6,054
Amount Paid
Number of Students	6,054
Total	$3,824,127.00

The estimated total number of students at the institution 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.

Based on the guidance in Section 484 San Antonio College estimates that there are approximately 12,268 students who would be eligible for CARES Act Emergency Relief funding based on the Alamo Colleges-published eligibility criteria.
The method(s) used by the institution to determine which students receive Emergency Financial Aid Grants and how much they would receive under Section 18004(a)(1) of the CARES Act.

San Antonio College CARES Act – How to Qualify & How to Apply
https://www.alamo.edu/sac/news-events/news/2020/may/cares-act-higher-education-emergency-relief-fund/

San Antonio College’s students apply through the Student Financial Aid Office which then evaluates their Title IV eligibility and other applicable CARE Act eligibility criteria. An electronic application is being used for students to request funds. Based on Department of Education guidance, supporting documentation of need was requested but was not mandatory. On the application, students request funds and also sign a certification stating funds are for expenses as a result of a disruption in their education due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The application was placed online in a pre-fillable pdf that was submitted electronically to the priorityaid@alamo.edu inbox. Financial Aid staff then process applications from the queue by date received.

Working collaboratively with the Student Advocacy Centers a rubric was developed to determine student need and award amounts based on current and potential ongoing short-term financial needs for eligible applicants. On May 12, 2020 a one-time distribution of $300 to all Pell-eligible students who attended in the spring of 2020 was also awarded. To date, San Antonio College has disbursed 100% of their funds allocated to students.

San Antonio College utilizes the BANNER Student Information System. CARES Act awards to students are disbursed to the student account and then refunded directly to the students. The full CARES Act award is given to the student, with no existing balances impacting the refund.
Any instructions, directions, or guidance provided by the institution to students concerning the Emergency Financial Aid Grants. All information provided to students is found on our website at www.alamo.edu/studentemergencyaid

Institutional Acknowledgement

On April 21, 2020, San Antonio College’s President, Dr. Robert H. Vela, Jr., signed and returned the Certification and Agreement for the Institutional Portion of the Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund (HEERF) authorized by Section 18004(a)(1) of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act to the U.S. Department of Education. In accordance with this certification and agreement, San Antonio College assures its intent to use no less than 50 percent of the Federal funding received under Section 18004(a)(1) of the CARES Act to provide Emergency Financial Aid grants to students.

More Information and Reports

Section 18004(c) of the CARES Act allows San Antonio College to use up to 50 percent of the funds received to cover any costs associated with significant changes to the delivery of instruction due to the coronavirus so long as such costs do not include payment. In total, SAC received $3,824,127 in emergency funds to help support SAC operations during the COVID-19 crisis.

Required reporting documents are listed below:

MSI Grant

Additionally, San Antonio College was approved for supplementary CARES Act funding as a recognized strengthening minority serving institution (MSI). To be eligible for MSI funds, institutions must be designated as eligible in FY 2020 for titles III and V programs, have an enrollment of undergraduate students that is at least 25% Hispanic, 50% of degree students are receiving need-based assistance under Title IV of the Higher Education Act or have a substantial number of enrolled students receiving Pell Grants and have low educational and general expenditures.

Students cannot apply for assistance directly from the U.S. Department of Education but should contact their institutions for further information and guidance. Institutions have the responsibility of determining how grants will be distributed to students, how the amount of each student grant is calculated, and the development of any instructions or directions that are provided to students about the grant.

Updated: April 7, 2021
Fomer Reports: 30 Day Report (July 2020)
45 Day Report (August 2020)
Final Quarterly Report (December 2020)

An acknowledgement that the institution signed and returned to the Department the Certification and Agreement and the assurance that the institution has used, or intends to 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.

On April 15, 2020, San Antonio College’s President, Dr. Robert H. Vela, Jr., signed and returned the Certification and Agreement for the Emergency Financial Aid Grants to Students of the Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund (HEERF) authorized by Section 18004(a)(1) of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act to the U.S. Department of Education. In accordance with this certification and agreement, San Antonio College assures its intent to use no less than 50 percent of the Federal funding received under Section 18004(a)(1) of the CARES Act to provide Emergency Financial Aid grants to students.
The total amount of funds that the institution will receive or has received from the Department pursuant to the institution’s Certification and Agreement [for] Emergency Financial Aid Grants to Students.

HHSI

SAC

HHSI11

$500,720.00

100.0%

$500,720.00

FUND

COLLEGE

FUND CODE

ALLOCATION

ALLOC %

AVAILABLE ALLOCATION
The total amount of Emergency Financial Aid Grants distributed to students under Section 18004(a)(1) of the CARES Act as of the date of submission (i.e., as of the 30-day Report and every 45 days thereafter). (See chart below.)

HHSI	SAC	HHSI11	$500,720.00	100.0%	$500,720.00
FUND	COLLEGE	FUND CODE	ALLOCATION	ALLOC %	AVAILABLE ALLOCATION

The total number of students who have received an Emergency Financial Aid Grant to students under Section 18004(a)(1) of the CARES Act. (See chart below.)

San Antonio College CARES Act Statistics – 12/31/2020

General Statistics of CARES Act Recipients
San Antonio College

Gender
Male	119
Female	452
Average Age of Recipients	28.7
Student Type	Count
Concurrent High School	0
Continuing	504
Early College High School	0
New First Time	64
Returning, Former	<10
Transfer	<10
Transfer Military	0
Transfer, Former	0
Transient	<10
Undeclared	0
Total	571
Count of New Ethnicity	Count
Hispanic or Latino	371
Not Disclosed	0
Not Hispanic or Latino	200
Total	571
Residency	Count
In District	533
Military Dep- Non TX Res	0
Military Dep-TX in Dist	0
Military Dep-TX Out of Dist	0
Military- Non TX Res	0
Military TX- Out of Dist	0
Military TX-In District	<10
Out of District-In State	33
Out of State	<10
TX Res HB 1403 s2 In District	0
TX Res HB 1403 s2 Out of Dist	0
TX Res HB 1403 s4 In Dist	0
TX Res HB 1403 s4 Out of Dist	0
Total	571
Amount Paid
Number of Students	571
Total	$500,720.00

The estimated total number of students at the institution 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.

Based on the guidance in Section 484 San Antonio College estimates that there are approximately 10,744 students who would be eligible for CARES Act Emergency Relief funding based on the Alamo Colleges-published eligibility criteria.
The method(s) used by the institution to determine which students receive Emergency Financial Aid Grants and how much they would receive under Section 18004(a)(1) of the CARES Act.

San Antonio College CARES Act – How to Qualify & How to Apply
https://www.alamo.edu/sac/news-events/news/2020/may/cares-act-higher-education-emergency-relief-fund/

San Antonio College’s students apply through the Student Financial Aid Office which then evaluates their Title IV eligibility and other applicable CARE Act eligibility criteria. An electronic application is being used for students to request funds. Based on Department of Education guidance, supporting documentation of need was requested but was not mandatory. On the application, students request funds and also sign a certification stating funds are for expenses as a result of a disruption in their education due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The application was placed online in a pre-fillable pdf that was submitted electronically to the priorityaid@alamo.edu inbox. Financial Aid staff then process applications from the queue by date received.

Working collaboratively with the Student Advocacy Centers a rubric was developed to determine student need and award amounts based on current and potential ongoing short-term financial needs for eligible applicants. To date, San Antonio College has disbursed 100% of their funds CARES Act MSI funds allocated to students.
San Antonio College utilizes the BANNER Student Information System. CARES Act awards to students are disbursed to the student account and then refunded directly to the students. The full CARES Act award is given to the student, with no existing balances impacting the refund.
Any instructions, directions, or guidance provided by the institution to students concerning the Emergency Financial Aid Grants. All information provided to students is found on our website at www.alamo.edu/studentemergencyaid