USC Sumter students receive CARES Act funds

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The University of South Carolina Sumter recently distributed funds from the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act to eligible students. The act provides economic relief to students who incurred expenses related to the disruption of campus operations because of the coronavirus. This includes eligible expenses under a student's cost of attendance such as food, housing, course materials, technology, health care and childcare. Eligible students were notified with instructions via email and their Self Service Carolina account earlier this week.

"We are hopeful these payments will ease the burden our students have experienced during this disrupted semester," said USC Sumter Campus Dean Michael Sonntag.

Students who were eligible to receive CARES Act funds met basic eligibility criteria for federal financial aid and had the greatest financial need. The financial aid office used the Free Application for Federal Student Aid data to determine eligibility.

Based on guidance provided by the Department of Education, students had to meet the following eligibility parameters to qualify for CARES Act funds:

- Be eligible to participate in programs under Section 484 in Title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965, as amended. (e.g., be eligible to receive federal financial aid funds such as the Pell Grant, TEACH Grant, Direct Loans, etc.);

- Be a degree-seeking student enrolled for the spring 2020 term; and

- Not enrolled in an exclusively online program on or prior to March 13, 2020.

The U.S. Department of Education does not allow CARES funds to be used for students that are dual enrolled in high school and college, international students, undocumented students or non-matriculated students.

If you have questions about the CARES Act disbursement for USC Sumter students, please contact the financial aid office at (803) 938-3840 or sufinaid@uscsumter.edu.