The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act provides economic relief to students who incurred expenses related to the disruption of campus operations due to the COVID-19 outbreak. This includes eligible expenses under a student's cost of attendance such as food, housing, course materials, technology, health care, and childcare. The availability of this award is not continuous.
To fulfill the Department of Education’s guidance, USC Lancaster will be awarding grants to students across all levels as determined by the FAFSA with amounts ranging from $300 to $650. Pell Grant recipients will be awarded $650 and all other eligible students may receive $300. In early September, any CARES funding that had been declined by awardees was reallocated to students who accepted an initial CARES award and maintained eligibility for Title IV federal student financial aid. This additional award was $281 per recipient. The grants must be used for expenses related to the disruption of campus operations due to coronavirus (including eligible expenses under a student’s cost of attendance such as food, housing, course materials, technology, health care, and childcare). The grants may not fully cover the expenses a student has incurred due to the disruption.
The grants will be awarded based on the following criteria:
- USC-Lancaster has received an official FAFSA as of May 7, 2020
- Meet the Title IV Federal eligibility requirements
- Be a degree-seeking student enrolled for Spring 2020 term
- Not enrolled in an exclusively online program on or prior to March 13, 2020
- Meet the Satisfactory Academic Progress requirements
This one-time award will be placed on the student’s account for Spring 2020 and an award notification email will be sent to students to view their awards on SSC. The student must also accept the certification to receive the funds. However, if you did not incur any expenses, please decline the awards via SSC. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact our campus Financial Aid Office at usclfa@mailbox.sc.edu or by phone 803-313-7068 . You can also chat with us online.
Palmetto College CARES Act Federal Grant frequently asked questions, click here.
Beware of Scams about CARES Act Funding
Cares Reporting
CARES Act Emergency Financial Aid Grants Reporting as of 06/31/2021 (Lancaster)
CARES Act Emergency Financial Aid Grants Reporting as of 12/31/2020 (Lancaster)
CARES Act Emergency Financial Aid Grants Reporting as of 09/30/2020 (Lancaster)
CARES Act Emergency Financial Aid Grants Reporting as of 08/15/2020 (Lancaster)
CARES Act Emergency Financial Aid Grants Reporting as of 06/30/2020 (Lancaster)
CARES Act Emergency Financial Aid Grants Reporting as of 05/19/2020 (Lancaster)