Southern Connecticut State University (“Southern” or the “University”) has received funding through the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (“CARES Act” or the “Act”).  Part of the University’s responsibility under the Act is to provide certain information to the public about the University’s funding and how it has been used.  The numbered points reflect the list of required disclosures

1. Southern signed and returned to the Department of Education (the “Department”), the Certification and Agreement.  The University 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. The University has received $4,195,084 from the Department pursuant to the Certification and Agreement [for] Emergency Financial Aid Grants to Students.
3. As of May 22, 2020, Southern has distributed $3,090,740 to 6,476 students.  As of July 1, 2020, the number had increased slightly to $3,098,877 and 6,495 students.  As of August 12, the aided counts and amounts were 6,497 and $3,099,753.  On September 30, the count was 6,630 with total awards to date, $3,150,947. By the end of October, the final count was 6,650 with total awards to date of $3,158,575. In November the final funds were distributed as an increase in award to those of the 6,650 who were still enrolled in the University.
4. Under the original program which was limited to those had filed FAFSA’s by June 30, 2020, Southern reached 6,497 students with awards.  To reach the 1224 additional students, enrolled for fall 2020, and preliminarily determined to be eligible according to the information below, Southern implemented a program allowing students to attest to Title IV eligibility in lieu of filing the 19-20 FAFSA.  Under this program the University was able to provide awards to an additional 133 students by September 30. Ultimately 153 students were reached through this program.  After the attestation program closed, to expend the remaining funds, Southern then distributed the money as a 44% increase on the original award, to those students still enrolled at the University.
5. The University allocated funds based on the number of credits for which the student was enrolled in spring 2020.  The baseline amount for full time, eligible students is $438.  Up to 40% of the baseline was added for Pell recipients based on the percentage of the full-time Pell award received.  Therefore, an eligible, full-time student receiving a full Pell grant received $613. In the final round of awards (October 2020) a second award, equal to approximately 44% of the original award, was sent to those students enrolled in fall 2020.
6. Students were notified of the award program in an email dated May 6, 2020.  Additional guidance was provided in a Q&A on the Student One Stop webpage and cross-linked to the Financial Aid and Student Accounts sites. Additional emails were sent to students notifying them of the attestation program and the final award.

Originally posted, May 22, 2020.  Revised July 1, 2020, August 12, 2020, and October 26, 2020 , and December 29, 2020.

Quarterly Budget and Expenditure Reporting under CARES Act Sections 18004(a)(1) Institutional Portion, 18004(a)(2), and 18004(a)(3), if applicable

• Report 10/26/20 (pdf)
• Report 12/29/20 (pdf)