Response to U.S. Department of Education

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Response to the U.S. Department of Education

The U.S. Department of Education directed all institutions who received CARES Act funds to share how those funds were used.

The College signed and returned to the U.S. Department of Education the CARES Act certification and agreement. Florida Southern has used 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.

The Department of Education awarded Florida Southern $1,145,996 in emergency financial aid for students. Beginning the week of May 4, the College awarded 2,969 students a total of $1,162,200 (the additional funds came from CARES ACT institutional funds).

Every student who met U.S. Department of Education eligibility requirements received emergency aid. The College shared a link to the U.S. Department of Education’s website about eligibility requirements and the use of the emergency grants.

The College did not require students to submit any type of application.

A formula was used to determine the different amounts for students in six categories: evening program, graduate program, doctorate program, day program commuter, day program residential, and Pell Award recipients.

Students in each program received the same amount of emergency aid as other students in the same program. Students who received Pell Grants were awarded additional funds on top of the standard award for their program.

Response to the U.S. Department of Education - CRRSAA HEERF II – 6/23/2021

The U.S. Department of Education directed all institutions who received CRRSAA HEERF II funds to share how those funds were used.

The College signed and returned to the U.S. Department of Education the CRRSAA HEERF II certification and agreement. The Department of Education awarded Florida Southern $3,566,789, of which $1,145,996 was to be used in emergency financial aid for students. Beginning March 4, 2021 through April 7, 2021, the College awarded 1,680 students a total of $1,145,996.

Every student who met U.S. Department of Education eligibility requirements and submitted an application received emergency aid. The College shared a link to the U.S. Department of Education’s website about eligibility requirements and the use of the emergency grants.

The College required students to submit an application to receive CRRSAA HEERF II funds. Students that sent in their application were prioritized using the following criteria:

Florida Southern prioritized currently enrolled undergraduate students with exceptional need as determined by the 2020-2021 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) as instructed by Congress. Further, the grants were based on a sliding scale that takes into account those students with the greatest need (Pell Grant recipients), to those families with an Expected Family Contribution (ECF) under $35,000, then to all others. A limited amount was also available for graduate students. The College also used funds from the $2,420,793 allocated to institutional funds for students for COVID testing and other related expenses.


Response to the U.S. Department of Education - CRRSAA HEERF III – 10/4/2021

The U.S. Department of Education directed all institutions who received CRRSAA HEERF III funds to share how those funds were used.

The College signed and returned to the U.S. Department of Education the CRRSAA HEERF III certification and agreement. The Department of Education awarded Florida Southern $6,261,374, of which $3,147,657 was to be used in emergency financial aid for students. On July 19, 2021 the College awarded funds to every student who was a Pell Grant recipient for the summer term (71 students) for a total of $21,300.

On September 24, 2021 the College mailed a letter to the home address of all current undergraduate students, informing them of the HEERF III funds and their ability to receive funds if qualified. This same information was also posted on the student portal.

As required under the terms of the grant program, the College will prioritize students with exceptional need. All current undergraduates who receive a Pell Grant or who have an EFC of under $35,000 are being viewed by the College as having exceptional need under this program and will receive funding without being required to apply. Any undergraduate student not meeting the above criteria, but whom has faced significant unexpected expenses or reduction in income due to the pandemic must make application through the Florida Southern College Department of Financial Aid by October 15, 2021 for consideration of eligibility.

On October 20, 2021 the College awarded funds to 1,598 students that had exceptional need, as outlined above, totaling $3,030,600. Florida Southern College, as of October 31, 2021, made 1,669 awards totaling $3,051,900 from its student portion of CRRSAA HEERF III funds.

The College also used funds from the $3,113,717 allocated to institutional funds for COVID testing and other related expenses.

Response To The U.S. Department Of Education – American Rescue Plan – CRRSAA HEERF III – 1/6/2022

The U.S. Department of Education directed all institutions who received CRRSAA HEERF III funds to share how those funds were used.

The College signed and returned to the U.S. Department of Education the CRRSAA HEERF III certification and agreement.  The Department of Education awarded Florida Southern $6,261,374, of which $3,147,657 was to be used in emergency financial aid for students. On July 19, 2021 the College awarded funds to every student who was a Pell Grant recipient for the summer term (71 students) for a total of $21,300.

On September 24, 2021 the College mailed a letter to the home address of all current undergraduate students, informing them of the HEERF III funds and their ability to receive funds if qualified. This same information was also posted on the student portal.

As required under the terms of the grant program, the College will prioritize students with exceptional need.  All current undergraduates who receive a Pell Grant or who have an EFC of under $35,000 are being viewed by the College as having exceptional need under this program and will receive funding without being required to apply. The total estimated number of students that met these requirements was 1,584. Any undergraduate student not meeting the above criteria, but whom has faced significant unexpected expenses or reduction in income due to the pandemic must make application through the Florida Southern College Department of Financial Aid by October 15, 2021 for consideration of eligibility.

On October 20, 2021 the College awarded funds to 1,598 students that had exceptional need, as outlined above, totaling $3,030,600. Florida Southern College, as of October 31, 2021, made 1,669 awards totaling $3,051,900 from its student portion of CRRSAA HEERF III funds.

The College also used funds from the $3,113,717 allocated to institutional funds for COVID testing and other related expenses.