College of Alameda CARES Act

Press release from the College of Alameda:

July 17, 2020

Dear CoA Community,

Supporting our students throughout the COVID-19 pandemic remains a priority of the College of Alameda team. We understand that students have experienced unanticipated financial hardships. I am pleased to announce that College of Alameda has received $524,585 in Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, earmarked exclusively for direct financial assistance to students. These funds will be distributed to students enrolled in the spring 2020 semester on March 10, 2020. This date coincides with the Peralta Community College District decision to move to remote and online programs and instruction due to COVID-19.

Grant amounts range from $150 to $500 and are distributed based on enrollment status as well as a student’s level of financial need as defined by the 2019-2020 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and California Dream Act Application (CADAA). College of Alameda also received Minority Serving Institution CARES funds and is distributing based on student identified ethnic data.

CARES student enrollment status eligibility

• Completed a 2019-2020 FAFSA or California Dream Act Application for College of Alameda.
• Enrolled for the Spring 2020 semester at College of Alameda and have at least one active class as of March 10, 2020.
• Enrolled in at least one on-campus course for the Spring 2020 semester.
• 100 percent distance learning (fully online) class loads are ineligible for funding under CARES Act regulations.

Prior to receiving the CARES funds, College of Alameda distributed Student Equity and Achievement emergency grants in the amount of $500 and $100 emergency grocery cards form Hunger Free Campus funds. Additionally, the college continues to distribute emergency grants through Project Success funds based on need.

Students eligible and receiving a CARES award will see it in their Financial Aid Summary in the PeopleSoft Student Center. CARES funds will be processed by the Financial Aid Office and disbursed to students through BankMobile by the end of July 2020.

If you have questions regarding this announcement or BankMobile, please email the Financial Aid Office at coafinancialaid@peralta.edu or call (510) 748-2391.

Sincerely,

Tina Vasconcellos, Ph.D.

This press release was produced by the College of Alameda. The views expressed here are the author’s own.