CARES Act – Emergency Financial Aid Grants to Students Required Report 3 (August 25, 2020)

On March 27, 2020, the President of the United States signed the CARES Act (H.R. 748), which provides emergency relief funds to organizations and individuals affected by the coronavirus pandemic. The Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund (HEERF), found in Section 18004 of the CARES Act, provides funding to institutions of higher education “to prevent, prepare for, and respond to coronavirus.” The following information is provided by Middle Tennessee School of Anesthesia as required by the Department of Education (“ED”) in order to comply with the reporting requirements under the CARES Act. This is MTSA’s first 30-day progress report and presents information as of May 27, 2020. Additional reports will be provided every 45 days.

Report 1         May 27, 2020  30-day Report For CARES Act Funding>>

Report 2        July 11, 2020   CARES Act funding>>

Report 3        August 25, 2020 CARES Act funding>>

1. An acknowledgement that the institution signed and returned to the Department the Certification and Agreement and the assurance that the institution has used, or intends to use, no less than 50 percent of the funds received under Section 18004(a)(1) of the CARES Act to provide Emergency Financial Aid Grants to students.
   
   Middle Tennessee School of Anesthesia signed and returned the Certification and Agreement to the U.S. Department of Education on April 13, 2020 for the HEERF Funds for Emergency Financial Aid Grants. MTSA received its grant award notification dated April 27, 2020. In keeping with the terms of the certification, MTSA will use no less than 50% of the funds received, as stated under 18004(c) of the CARES Act, to provide Emergency Financial Aid Grants directly to students.
2. The total amount of funds that the institution will receive or has received from the Department pursuant to the institution’s Certification and Agreement [for] Emergency Financial Aid Grants to Students.
   
   Middle Tennessee School of Anesthesia will receive a total of $56,794 under Section 18004(a)(1) of the CARES Act, of which $28,397 is to be provided directly to students impacted by campus disruption due to the Covid-19 crisis.
3. The total amount of Emergency Financial Aid Grants distributed to students under Section 18004(a)(1) of the CARES Act as of the date of submission (i.e., as of the 30-day Report and every 45 days thereafter).
   
   On May 19, 2020, MTSA began accepting applications from students for Emergency Financial Aid Grants.  As of the date of this report, $1825 has been distributed to students.
4. The estimated total number of students at the institution eligible to participate in programs under Section 484 in Title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965 and thus eligible to receive Emergency Financial Aid Grants to students under Section 18004(a)(1) of the CARES Act.
   
   Middle Tennessee School of Anesthesia estimates approximately 200 students are eligible to participate in Title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965 and thus eligible to receive Emergency Financial Aid Grants to students under Section 18004(a)(1) of the CARES Act.
5. The total number of students who have received an Emergency Financial Aid Grant to students under Section 18004(a)(1) of the CARES Act.
   
   As of the date, the total number of students who have received an Emergency Financial Aid Grant to students under Section 18004(a)(1) of the CARES Act is three.
6. The method(s) used by the institution to determine which students receive Emergency Financial Aid Grants and how much they would receive under Section 18004(a)(1) of the CARES Act.
   
   Middle Tennessee School of Anesthesia decided to launch a Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund Application, https://mtsa.edu/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/Application-for-HEERF-Grant.pdf, for enrolled students to request an Emergency Financial Aid Grant. To receive an Emergency Financial Aid Grant, students must apply through the School’s Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund Application and be eligible for Title IV aid (have a FAFSA on file). The application captures the amount of the request and the eligible expense for which the funds are requested. Future awards will depend on the actual number of applications received, and the funds requested by students. A committee will review and determine the applicant’s eligibility for funding. Student applications will be evaluated and awarded on a first come basis and based on a funding cap of $1500/request.
7. Any instructions, directions, or guidance provided by the institution to students concerning the Emergency Financial Aid Grants.
   
   Emails were sent to enrolled eligible cohorts on May 19, 2020, directing them to the School’s website to apply for the Emergency Financial Aid Grant funds. The information on the website, https://mtsa.edu/higher-education-emergency-relief-fund/, presents students’ answers to Frequently Asked Questions, the eligibility requirements and a link to the HEERF Application to apply for the Emergency Financial Aid Grant.

Report 4 will be available on October 9, 2020.