CARES Act Emergency Grants Now Available

June 11, 2020 - 03:16 PM

Mt. San Antonio College is now accepting applications for Emergency Grants "to be used for an URGENT need related to a currently enrolled student’s expense caused by COVID-19." 

The college has already distributed more than $6.9 million to students  last month, in its first wave of grants to help students under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act for student emergency relief. 

“Our Mt. SAC team members have worked around the clock to get this money into our students’ hands as soon as possible,” said President Bill Scroggins. “Students at community colleges can be particularly hard hit by this unprecedented situation. We are fully committed to helping our students and our community recover from this crisis.”

 Rules for the Emergency Grant is as follows:

• The emergency aid is to be used for an URGENT need related to a currently enrolled student’s expenses caused by COVID-19.
• Only students who meet the criteria to participate in programs under Section 484 in Title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965, as amended (HEA), may receive emergency financial aid grants.
• Funds are intended for students who have had a change in their expenses related to the COVID-19 disruption of campus operations.
• Applicants must provide an explanation for requesting this emergency grant.
• Funds do not need to be repaid.
• Requests without adequate explanation may not be accepted or approved.
• Funds are limited, are not an entitlement, and are to be distributed at the discretion of the College’s CARES Act Grant Committee.
• Applicants will be evaluated in the order received until funds are depleted.

The first wave of grant aid was distributed to 10,400 students who were enrolled in the spring semester, eligible for Title IV (qualifying for financial aid), and had an unmet need of $5,001 or more. Each student received between $400 and $900 depending on the number of units they were taking during the Spring semester. With the emergency Grants, the amount will vary. 

“We want students to know Mt. SAC is here for them,” says Jenny Phu, assistant director of Financial Aid. “The whole community is coming together to support one another. In fact, we had a student come forward and return her grant. Even though she didn’t have money herself, she said her parents were able to support her, so she wanted the funds to go to someone who needed it more. I was in awe. With everyone working together like this, I know we will overcome this as a community.”

For frequently asked questions about the disbursement, visit the Financial Aid FAQs website. To help support students in need, visit the Mt. SAC Foundation. For more on the CARES Act visit our Reporting website.