Coronavirus Aid Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act Information

View CARES Act Financial Reports

• 00239300_HEERF I CARES_Q12021_04 10 21.pdf
• 00239300_HEERF I CARES_Q22021_07 10 21.pdf
• 00239300_HEERF I CARES_Q32020_10 10 20.pdf
• 00239300_HEERF I CARES_Q32021_10 10 21.pdf
• 00239300_HEERF I CARES_Q42020_01 10 21.pdf

1. Minnesota State College Southeast (MSCS) has signed and returned to the Department of Education the certification and agreement and assures the institution will use no less than fifty percent of the aid in the form of Emergency Grants to eligible students as required by the CARES Act agreement.

2. MSCS received CARES Act funding for Emergency Financial Aid Grants to students in the amount of $333,224. $333,224 of these funds were distributed to students through Emergency Financial Aid Grants into three tiers of students. 

• Tier 1-50% of funds ($166,612) were distributed evenly in the amount of $240.00 amongst all current students
• Tier 2-25% of funds ($83,306) were distributed evenly in the amount of $297.00 amongst Pell Grant-eligible students
• Tier 3-25% of funds ($83,306) were distributed evenly in the amount of $540.00 amongst all students with a "zero Expected Family Contribution" (EFC)

Students who were eligible for more than one of the above components received funds from all for which they qualify. A possible maximum total per student of $1,077.00.

3. As of May 18, 2021, MSCS distributed the total amount of $333,224 in CARES Act Emergency Grant payments to eligible students. 

4. MSCS in Spring 2020 estimated 693 students met eligibility requirements to be considered for CARES Act emergency funding.

5. As of May 18, 2021, MSCS distributed all CARES Act funds to 969 eligible students.  

6. The methods used for CARES Act funding was determined based on guidance from the U.S. Department of Education and the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities Office of General Counsel. Spring 2020 when the pandemic began, eligible students must have been enrolled and actively participating in at least one Spring Semester 2020 course that met all of the following criteria:

• On-campus or Hybrid format
• Credit-earning (excludes audited and continuing education course)
• Semester-based
• Continuing through or starting on or after the first Monday of Spring Break
• Was not dropped, withdrawn, or did not have a last date of attendance before 3/6/2020 (Friday before spring break)

The following students were not eligible for CARES Act funding:

• HS Students/PSEO/Concurrent Enrollment
• Seniors receiving the special discount rate
• DACA/DREAM Act Students, if known
• Employees with an approved tuition waiver at any Minnesota State institution
• Incarcerated students
• International students

7. CARES Act funds were intended to help students cover expenses related to the disruption of campus operations due to coronavirus (including expenses under a student's cost of attendance, such as food, housing, course materials, technology, health care, and child care). Realizing students have been affected by the Coronavirus in a variety of ways, MSCS distributed funds to eligible students. Students enrolled at more than one Minnesota State campus should check with their Financial Aid Office to determine if they are eligible for funding.

Return to Higher Education Emergency Relief Funds Page