CARES Act

CARES Act Grant details & certification process announced

The University of Louisiana at Lafayette has signed and returned the Certification and Agreement for the federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES Act) to the Department of Education, and has received $12,686,007. Per the agreement, at least 50 percent ($6,343,004) will be used exclusively for the purpose of providing emergency financial aid grants to students for their expenses related to the disruption of campus operations because of the coronavirus pandemic.

The University has finalized and initiated the process, according to federal guidelines, for administering CARES Act Grants to students, which includes assessing student need, determining individual payments, and distributing funds.

Specifics and details regarding the process and disbursements are as follows.

Eligibility Requirements

All students will be notified as to their preliminary eligibility status for a CARES Act Grant via an email to their University-issued email addresses. The University estimates that approximately 9,700 students are eligible to receive funds. Students who have not received a notification by Thursday, May 28, should email finaid@louisiana.edu.

Eligible Students

According to the U.S. Department of Education, in order to be eligible, students must meet the requirements of Section 484 in Title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965, as amended:

be enrolled in at least one credit hour on March 13, 2020;
be degree seeking;
be a U.S. citizen or Title IV eligible noncitizen;
have a valid Social Security number;
be registered with Selective Service (if the student is male);
have a high school diploma or GED; and
be in good satisfactory academic progress standard status during Spring 2020.

The requirements listed above are verified through the federal financial aid application process; therefore, the University required all students who wished to be considered for a CARES Act Grant to have submitted a 2019-20 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) by May 15, 2020.

Ineligible Students

According to the Department of Education, students who fit the following criteria are not eligible to receive the CARES Act Grant:

enrolled in an exclusively online degree program;
currently in default on a federal student loan;
a dual enrollment student;
an international student; or
an undocumented student.

Certification Process

Submission of the Certification Form is part of the process to determine eligibility for the grant. The form is used for a student to attest to their need for the CARES Act Grant by certifying that they have incurred expenses related to the disruption of campus operations because of the coronavirus pandemic. Eligible expenses include food, housing, course materials, technology, health care, and childcare.

The online Certification Form is brief, and students do not need to submit receipts or provide any documentation of their incurred expenses.

To be considered, students should complete the Certification Form. The deadline to submit the Certification Form is Wednesday, June 3.

Students can elect to receive an email confirmation that the Certification Form was submitted successfully.

Certification Form

CARES Act Grants

Every eligible student who completes the Certification form will receive a CARES Act Grant. Unlike loans, grants do not have to be repaid.

CARES Act Grants will be awarded based on registered hours as of March 13, 2020, and according to the following schedule:

Undergraduate students who are not Pell eligible

Full-time students - Undergraduate students with 12+ hours - $400.00
Part-time students - Undergraduate students with 6-11 hours - $300.00
Less than half-time students with 1-5 hours - $300.00

Undergraduate students who are Pell eligible

Full-time students - Undergraduate students with 12+ hours - $900.00
Part-time students - Undergraduate students with 6-11 hours - $700.00
Less than half-time students with 1-5 hours - $400.00

Graduate students

Full-time students - Graduate students with 9+ hours - $400.00
Part-time students - Graduate students with 5-8 hours - $300.00
Less than half-time students with 1-4 hours - $300.00

Grant Disbursement

Awards will be posted to students' University accounts and then disbursed directly to the student. Students should allow two to three weeks after submitting the Certification Form to receive the grant. They will receive an email when the grant is posted to their student account.

If students have set up direct deposit with the University, grants will be deposited into their designated bank accounts. If they have not set up direct deposit with the University, a check will be sent to the current mailing address. To change their mailing address, students should complete the Change of Information Form.

Grant Disbursement Progress

To date, all Emergency Financial Aid Grants have been distributed to 7,793 students under Section 18004(a)(1) of the Cares Act.

CARES Act Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund - Institution

On May 14, 2020, University of Louisiana at Lafayette was approved by the Department of Education to receive a $6,343,003.00 grant associated with the COVID-19 pandemic as awarded in the CARES Act.

CARES Act Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund - Strengthening Institutions Program

On June 3, 2020, University of Louisiana at Lafayette was approved by the Department of Education to receive a $621,827.00 grant associated with the COVID-19 pandemic as awarded in the CARES Act.

Reporting

The CARES Act requires institutions to submit ongoing reports. View reports below.

CARES Act Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund - Student Aid

CARES Act Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund - Institution

CARES Act Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund - Strengthening Institutions Program

Questions

Updates regarding CARES Act disbursements will be posted on this web page.

If you have any questions regarding CARES Act Grant eligibility, the Certification Form, or the disbursement process, please email finaid@louisiana.edu.