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CARES Act: August 2020

Report Date: August 20, 2020

CARES Act @SDSU

The CARES Act, which establishes and funds the Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund (HEERF), directs institutions of higher education to use no less than 50% of funds received under Sections 18004(a)(1) and 18004(c) of the CARES Act to provide emergency financial aid grants to students for expenses related to the disruption of campus operations due to coronavirus and up to 50 percent of the funds they receive to cover any costs associated with significant changes to the delivery of instruction due to the coronavirus.

South Dakota State University signed and returned to the department the certification and agreement to receive CARES Act funds Apr. 25, 2020, and has used no less than 50% of the funds received under Section 18004(a)(1) of the CARES Act to provide emergency financial aid grants to students.


CARES Act Information

There are no additional updates to the use of CARES Act funds for the student aid grant since the last posted update on Jul. 8, 2020.

Student CARES Emergency Grant Funds: $3,010,084

Institutional CARES Funds: $3,010,084

Total CARES Funds: $6,020,168

Total Disbursed as of 6/15/2020: $3,010,084

Estimated number of Title IV Eligible Students Taking Campus Courses: 6,332

Total number of students who have received an Emergency Financial Aid Grant as of 6/15/20: 5,276

Awarding Protocol:

  • Students attending a site that transitioned to online courses. Online students are not eligible.
  • Undergraduate and graduate students.
  • Eligible for Title IV aid verified through FAFSA completion.
  • Enrolled for spring and currently enrolled at the time the CARES Act was enacted.
  • Completed the CARES Act Emergency Aid Grant Application noting how they were impacted by COVID-19 and the associated campus closure.
  • Students were emailed a link to the online application along with the grant amount they are eligible to receive to their SDSU-issued student email account. Only students eligible were provided an application link.

Disbursement Plan:

Award amounts are determined by EFC and will be distributed as follows:

EFC RangeCARES Act Emergency Grant Amount
0-5576$600
5577-11000$500
11001-20000$400
20001-$300
No FAFSA but Eligible$250

*Students enrolled less than full-time will be eligible for ½ of the grant amount.

For more information, contact the SDSU Financial Aid Office at 605-688-4695.


CARES Act Email Sent To Students

THIS EMAIL IS INTENDED FOR THE RECIPIENT ONLY AND INFORMATION CONTAINED HEREIN APPLIES TO THE RECIPIENT ONLY

Dear SDSU Student,

We understand the COVID-19 pandemic and the decision by South Dakota State University to move in-person courses online has had an impact on you in many ways. We are pleased to inform you that you may be eligible for a CARES Act Emergency Grant in an amount up to $600.  Students who are enrolled less than half-time during the Spring 2020 semester will receive reduced awards. This funding can be provided directly to you to assist with your expenses related to COVID-19 and our decision to move courses online.

In order to receive your CARES Act Emergency Grant, you must complete this application: CARES Act Student Emergency Grant Application. This should take you less than 5 minutes to complete and submit. To qualify you must certify the expenses you experienced due the disruption of campus by selecting one or more of the expense categories on the application. Within five business days of receiving your application, your approved CARES Act Emergency Grant will be processed and disbursed to you through either

  1. Direct Deposit into your bank account. Direct Deposit is the fastest way to receive your grant funds. To setup or change your Direct Deposit information, go to the MyState Dashboard tab, click on the link to the Student Account Self-Service, select Direct Deposit Allocations, select Direct Deposit Refunds, and follow the instructions.
  2. Or by paper check mailed to your Student Refund Address. If you have not setup a Student Refund Address, then your check will go to the permanent address listed in our records. To setup or update your Student Refund Address, go to the MyState Dashboard tab, click on the link to the Student Account Self-Service, and select Student Personal Information. In the address section under Student Refund Address, click Add New to add a Student Refund Address or click the edit button to update your existing address.

You may also be concerned about summer or fall finances and your ability to continue your education at SDSU. If you or your family have had a change in your finances that is not reflected on your 2020 FAFSA, please contact the Financial Aid Office to discuss possible options including adjusting your FAFSA to reflect your current financial situation.

If you have additional questions about the CARES Act Emergency Grant please email sdsu.caresgrant@sdstate.edu. For other questions about financial aid, please contact the Financial Aid Office at sdsu.finaid@sdstate.edu or 605-688-4695.

We are here to help so don’t hesitate to let us know if you need assistance!

Sincerely,

Michaela L. Willis, Ph.D.
Vice President for Student Affairs