• We are required to abide by guidelines issued by the Department of Education (ED). These are the FAQs that were shared with colleges and universities across the nation. Students must meet Title IV eligibility requirements in order to receive CARES Act Student Aid. We are determining this eligibility through completed FAFSAs. 

• Per Department of Education guidance, you will not be eligible for CARES Act Student Aid during Spring 2020 if you were enrolled in a fully online program before March 13,2020 (the date of the President’s Proclamation in response to the COVID-19 pandemic). 

• You may not be eligible for CARES Act Student Aid if you are co-enrolled in another college or university, where you could also receive emergency funds.

• CARES Act Student Aid is available to students for expenses related to the disruption of education due to the Coronavirus — this may include eligible expenses under a student’s cost of attendance such as food, housing, course materials, technology, healthcare, and child care. 

• Our financial aid team will also review newly completed 2019/2020 FAFSAs to retroactively award any financial aid grant assistance.

• ACC must pay CARES Act Student Aid directly to the student and may not apply the grants toward outstanding institutional charges. We will deliver funds to students through BankMobile using the refund preference selected (5-14 business days). If you have not selected your refund preference, a check will be mailed to your address on file. This may take an additional week to receive. 

• Once you have submitted your application you will receive an automated email that your application has been received. A member of our team will review and contact you within 2 to 3 business days with additional information. Please note additional steps may be required. Our goal is for you to receive any approved funds within 7 to 14 days of your application submission. ACC will be available to support you throughout the process.

• If you have not already completed a 2019/2020 FAFSA (School Code is 012015), you must do so to be eligible for CARES Act Student Aid from ACC. Once your FAFSA is complete, it will display in our system in about 3 business days. You may verify the status of your application on your Self Service financial aid page.

• If you need assistance with the FAFSA , don’t worry, we have partners who can help. Create a profile and schedule an appointment with the Trellis Group to get one-on-one support completing the FAFSA or visit austincc.edu/fatv for helpful videos available 24/7.

• After you complete your 2019/2020 FAFSA, you may request emergency funds for expenses related to COVID-19 by filling out this simple application: CARES Act Student Aid Request.

• We also suggest completing your 2020-2021 FAFSA Application for future semesters. This could potentially result in financial aid funding to help with tuition and books AND will ensure your eligibility for CARES Act Student Aid, if needed, during the Fall 2020 semester.

• If you know or discover that you are not eligible for FAFSA or CARES Act Student Aid, we encourage you to still apply for the ACC Student Emergency fund, using the same CARES Act Student Aid Request. There are additional resources that we may be able to provide. Submitting the application authorizes ACC to research those opportunities on your behalf.

• Select your BankMobile refund preference. This will be the fastest way to receive your funds. If a preference is not selected within 7 days, BankMobile will mail a check to your address on file.

• finaid@austincc.edu -- for questions regarding your FAFSA or Title IV eligibility
• sef@austincc.edu -- for questions regarding your CARES Act Student Aid Request