Valencia College has received $27.6 million in funding from the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act, of which at least $13.8 million will be used to provide financial support for students whose education has been disrupted due to the coronavirus.
Since the announcement of those funds, the U.S. Department of Education has revised its guidelines for how the funds can be used, causing colleges and universities to amend and alter their plans.
Valencia College officials are finalizing a plan to effectively and fairly distribute the funds to students and will share more details with the campus community in early June.
“We recognize that the pandemic has had a profound effect on our students. We are finalizing the details for how the college will distribute the funds to assist as many students as possible who have financial need,” said Dr. Kathleen Plinske, provost and executive vice president of Valencia College.
Students who have not already applied for federal financial aid by completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) are strongly encouraged to do so to ensure they maximize their eligibility for financial aid.
Students who are currently experiencing severe financial distress may be eligible for an immediate grant from Valencia College and are encouraged to connect with a member of the college’s financial aid team at finaidoffice@valenciacollege.edu.