Panther Emergency Student Aid Fund

 Direct Emergency Grant

Federal funding was made available to South Florida State College (SFSC) to provide students with cash grants, which were not required to be paid back, for any component of the student’s cost of attendance and/or expenses related to disruptions to their educations due to the COVID-19 outbreak, including things like course materials and technology as well as food, housing, healthcare (including mental healthcare), and childcare. 

STUDENT ELIGIBILITY

The U.S. Department of Education provided direction regarding who was eligible to receive emergency financial aid grants. Emergency financial aid grants were limited and were automatically disbursed to all eligible students. SFSC prioritized students with exceptional needs. Students met the following criteria to qualify for the funds:

  1. Students must be currently enrolled at SFSC and actively participating in your current classes
  2. Students must be making satisfactory academic progress
  3. Students are encouraged to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)

AWARD CRITERIA

The distribution of awards was based on a student’s Expected Family Contribution (EFC), calculated by the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Award amounts varied as indicated by the chart below:

EFC Award Amount
0-2,499 $1,000
2,500-5,711 $750
5,712 and up $500

 

CREDIT AND NON-CREDIT PROGRAMS

SFSC students enrolled in credit and non-credit programs were eligible. Credit programs result in a degree, certificate, or license. Non-credit programs include English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL), General Education Development (GED), Corporate and Community Education, and Adult Basic Education (ABE). 

PAYMENT OF GRANT

Grants, once approved, were mailed by the Cashier’s Office to the student’s address on file in the Registrar’s Office.