Cares Act Reporting (Student Grant Portion Final Report)

1. On April 15th, 2020 the University signed and submitted the Certification and Agreement for section 18004(a)(1) of the CARES Act to provide Emergency Financial Aid Grants to students and the institution has used, or intends to use, 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.
2. Southern Methodist University has received a total of $4,598,259 in funds from the Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund. 
3. As of July 6, 2020, Southern Methodist University has distributed $2,299,130, half of the entire amount of funds received under Section 18004(a)(1) of the CARES Act, as emergency grants to undergraduate and graduate students of the University.   
4. As of April 30, 2020, Southern Methodist University had 1654 students eligible to participate in programs under Section 484 in Title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965 and therefore eligible to receive Student Emergency Aid Grants to students under Section 18004(a)(1) of the CARES Act.    
5. As of October 16^th, 2020, a total of 1,654 students had received Emergency Financial Aid Grants under Section 18004(a)(1) of the CARES Act. 
6. Following the guidance from the U.S. Department of Education, funds received under Section 18004(a)(1) of the CARES Acts are distributed to SMU students with the greatest demonstrated financial need and potential for financial hardship due to the ongoing pandemic.   To be eligible, students must meet the following criteria:
   • enrolled as of April 30th for the Spring 2020 term. 
   • eligible to receive Federal Title IV funding as determined by the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). 
   • received Federal Title IV grants or loans for the Spring 2020 term. 
   • enrolled in a campus-based academic program (Online programs are not eligible).
   • The amount awarded is based on the FAFSA Expected Family Contribution (EFC).  Eligible students with an official EFC up to $5,576 received $1,500.  Eligible students with an official EFC between $5,577 and $10,000 received $1,000. 
7. On April 30th, 2020, notification was sent to the eligible students describing how the funds would be distributed along with instructions describing how to obtain the funds.   

The University created a website answering questions regarding the distribution of the CARES Act funds.   

Copies of the communications to eligible students can be provided upon request to the Secretary of the United States Department of Education.