CARES Act Student Aid

Note: This page is dedicated to the HEERF I funding previously established by the CARES Act in Spring 2020. Information about the HEERF II established by the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act for the Spring 2021 semester can be found HERE.

Information about HEERF III established by the American Rescue Plan Act passed in Spring 2021 can be found HERE.

Initial Distribution: 

The CARES Act Emergency Student Aid funding is available to eligible students and will be distributed automatically to undergraduate students during the Initial Distribution phase. Students must meet the following criteria to be considered eligible to receive funding:

  • AIC received an official 2019-2020 FAFSA or the student completed a 2020-2021 FAFSA by August 1, 2020.
  • Enrolled, degree-seeking student for Spring 2020 term.
  • Not enrolled exclusively in an online program, defined as an educational program that has no residential classes over the course of the entire program.
  • Meet Title IV Federal Financial Aid eligibility requirements.
  • Maintaining the minimum requirements of Satisfactory Academic Progress.

Questions about eligibility requirements? Please contact cares.act@aic.edu with all questions and concerns.

During the Initial Distribution phase, CARES Act Emergency Student Aid grants will be distributed as direct payments to all eligible undergraduate students. Payment will first be posted to the student’s account and will be sent as a refund check. Checks will take 7-10 business days to process and students will be emailed when the check has been issued.

AIC utilized the student’s Expected Family Contribution (EFC) to determine need and provided a larger amount of funding to students with the most need.

Awarding Model:

EFCEFC Initial Award Amount
0 – 999$1,000
1,000 – 2,499$900
2,500 – 3,499$800
3,500 – 5,577$700
5,578 – 10,000$550
10,001 – 15,000$450
15,001 – 20,000$350
20,001+$0

Students who receive a CARES Act Emergency Grant, must accept the grant by completing THIS FORM.

Funds will not be disbursed until form is completed. Form must be completed by September 30, 2020.

Students must cash the check within 90-days of issuance. After 90-days, the check will be voided, and you will forfeit the funds allocated to you. For questions regarding your check, or for more information on the CARES Act emergency student aid please contact cares.act@aic.edu.

Appeals:

Appeals Update December 2020:

The College has dispersed the majority of CARES Act funding and has very limited funds remaining to disperse. Appeals will be accepted until January 8, 2021 at which time the Appeal Process will close. Please ensure that any appeal submitted provides a detailed description of why you’re requesting emergency funding and how it is a COVID related expense. The CARES Act Team encourages students to provide clear documentation attached to their appeal.


After the Initial Distribution phase, eligible graduate students, all students who became eligible after August 1, 2020, and students who received an initial grant and have additional need, can submit an appeal to receive additional funds to help offset expenses related to COVID-19.

The appeals application can be found HERE.

Appeals will be reviewed and distributed via two phases with the priority given to students who apply in phase one of the appeals process. See below for full details:

Appeals (Phase One) – Opens August 31, 2020: Students will have until September 20, 2020 to submit an appeal. Committee will decide and communicate an update to students by late-September and checks will be sent no later than end of September for Appeals Phase One applicants*.

*Due to the amount of Appeals received in Phase One checks will be delayed until mid-October.

Appeals (Phase Two) – Opens September 21, 2020: This phase will stay open through the end of the Fall semester and will be subject to availability of unclaimed funds. Appeals will be reviewed on a rolling basis.

Students returning in the fall who have experienced a significant loss of income or are not eligible for the COVID-19 Emergency Grants from the CARES funding please contact Financial Aid at financial.aid@aic.edu or 413.205.3259 to discuss other options available.

Reports:

Quarterly reporting of the student and institutional portion of HEERF funding can be found HERE.

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