CARES Act Funding Information

How has the money been spent?

Direct Student Funding Allocation

The University of Alaska Anchorage has received a student funding allocation of CARES Act funding from the U.S. Department of Education in the amount of $2.7 million dollars.* These awards are to help with student expenses related to the disruption of campus operations due to coronavirus, including cost of attendance, such as food, housing, course materials, technology, health care, and child care. UAA’s plan was established to assist students with the greatest need, in accordance with federal guidelines, while ensuring there were adequate funds available for those students who did not meet the initial grant selection group criteria. 

UAA Student Emergency Grant

Students who were identified as having the greatest need were selected in May 2020 based on Estimated Family Contribution (EFC) range from information provided on the FAFSA. An initial total of $1,972,500.00 (73% of the CARES initial allocation) was allocated  to students who qualify within the PELL eligibility range. Students did not need to apply for this award, it was posted automatically to student accounts and refunds occurred to 2,467 students the week of May 3. Recipients of this group were notified directly via email. Students with uncashed checks after 180 days lost eligibility for these funds to be reissued. $11,500 from uncashed checks was recovered and transferred to the UAA Student Emergency Fund program in December. Effected students may reapply for these funds if they meet eligibility conditions. Due to the cancellation of uncashed checks,  the updated amount released as an emergency grant May 3 - September 30, 2020 was adjusted to $1,961,000.00 to a total of 2,449 students (72% of the CARES allocation) based on the following eligibility criteria:

  • Spring registration
  • UAA or extended campus primary degree program or certificate
  • Title IV eligible only
  • Good SAP
  • EFC zero to 5000 ($1000.00 full-time, $500.00 part-time award)

UAA Student Emergency Fund

The updated total allocation to the UAA Student Emergency Fund program is $761,592.00 (28% of the CARES allocation). This program provides a mechanism, for those students who did not meet the greatest need criteria, to apply for assistance with qualifying expenses due to the coronavirus disruption. To receive assistance under this program, students submitted an electronic request form along with supporting documentation. Between October 1 and December 30, 2020, $211,683.00 has been refunded to 67 student accounts based on the following eligibility criteria: 

  • UAA or extended campus primary degree program or certificate
  • Title IV eligible only
  • Good SAP
  • Cannot replace wages for dislocated student employees
  • Cannot be used to pay a UA bill directly, student can use for this purpose once it has been distributed to them if that is their wish

Can include food, shelter, medical needs, transportation needs, childcare, equipment/connectivity access, communications. 

The UAA Office of Financial Aid is here to help. To speak with a financial aid representative or to schedule an appointment, please call 907-786-1480, and select option 4 from the main menu. 

 Website Publication Archive

Institutional Funding Allocation

The University of Alaska Anchorage has received an institutional funding allocation of CARES Act funding from the U.S. Department of Education in the amount of $2,722,592.00 from CARES Act Section 18004(a)(1) and $275,424.00 from CARES Act Section 18004(a)(2).* As of the September 30th quarterly billing cycle, these funds have been used to provide reimbursements for tuition, housing, room and board, or other fee refunds. 

HEERF Quarterly Budget and Expenditure Reports

Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund - CARES Act Sections 18004(a)(1) Institutional Portion, 18004(a)(2), and 18004(a)(3)

* This serves as 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. 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, is 5501.