June 24, 2020
The Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act was passed by Congress and signed into law to provide economic relief from COVID-19. One section of the CARES Act established the Higher Education Emergency Relief fund and sent money to schools to use for emergency financial aid grants to students for expenses related to the disruption of campus operations due to the coronavirus.
UAMS signed and returned to the U.S. Department of Education the funding certification
and agreement for the Emergency Financial Aid Grants to Students under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act on April 17, 2020. UAMS plans to use no less than 50% of the funds to provide emergency financial aid grants to students.
- UAMS will receive $972,976 of which no less than (50%) of the total Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund (HEERF) dollars will be allocated to the University specifically for emergency financial aid grants.
- As of May 29, 2020, $486,488 has been distributed to students.
- Approximately 1,770 students were eligible to receive an emergency financial aid grant.
- As of May 29, 2020, 847 students have received an emergency financial aid grant.
The following email was sent to students who applied for the CARES Act Emergency Stabilization Funding for Students:
Dear Student,
This is to confirm we are in receipt of your CARES Act Emergency Stabilization Funding for Students Application. We are in the process of reviewing to determine if you are eligible. The amount of your grant will be based on the number of approved applications. If approved, you will receive your grant funds a week from the deadline to apply, which is May 21, 2020.
To enroll in direct deposit, access the UAMS student portal GUS and follow the link “My Finances – Account Inquiry.” Once you are officially enrolled, you will receive a “Congratulations” message. If you do not elect direct deposit, a refund check will be mailed to the address on file. Please verify or update your address on the student portal GUS.
For questions regarding your application and funds, please email the Student Financial Services – Bursar’s Office, studentfinancialservices@uams.edu.
Sincerely,
UAMS Student Financial Services
The UAMS Student Financial Services Office determined eligibility to receive a grant based on criteria established by the U.S. Department of Education and information provided in the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) from your 2019-2020 application. Details on criteria for eligibility and distribution are listed below and can also be found on the UAMS Student Financial Services website, studentfinancialservices@uams.edu
To be eligible to receive CARES Act grants, students must:
- Be a U.S. citizen or Permanent Resident Alien (i.e., eligible to receive federal Title IV aid).
- Be eligible to receive Title IV federal financial aid and completed a 2019-20 FAFSA. This includes a certificate and degree-seeking students only.
- Not be in default on a federal student loan or owe an overpayment on any federal grant.
- Have a high school diploma, GED, or completion of high school in an approved homeschool setting.
- Have a valid Social Security number.
- Be registered with Selective Service (if required).
- Not have a federal or state conviction for drug possession or sale.
The method used to determine which students received the CARES Act fund was based on the number of approved applications received by the deadline of May 21, 2020.
By accepting the funds, you are confirming that you incurred expenses related to the disruption of campus operations due to the coronavirus, such as food, housing, course materials, technology, health care or childcare costs. You may decline part or all of the funds, in which case they will go into the pool to be made available to other qualified students in need. Please contact the Student Financial Services Office at studentfinancialservices@uams.edu to decline the funds.
To validate the legitimacy of this information, or for assistance, please contact the Student Financial Services Office at 501-686-6128 or at the Student Financial Services Office at UAMS.