CARES Act Reporting

About the CARES Act

The Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act signed into law on March 27 provides funding to higher education institutions to respond to the COVID-19 emergency. Merced College received approximately $6,536,491, of which 50% is direct aid to support our currently enrolled students. The Federal Funding is being allocated to our students to cover expenses related to the disruption of campus operations due to the COVID-19 (including eligible expenses under a student’s cost of attendance, such as food, housing, course materials, technology, health care and childcare).

Eligibility Estimate

Merced College estimates that 3,621 Spring 2020 students are 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 as of April 15, 2020.

Total Funds Disbursed

Merced College received $18,485,599 to be awarded to students.  As of June 30th, 2022, we have disbursed a total of $17,613,500 to 10645 eligible students.

  • As of May 8, 2020, we had disbursed a total of $268,500 to 305 eligible students.
  • As of May 29, 2020, we had disbursed a total of $752,250 to 881 eligible students.
  • As of June 25, 2020, we had disbursed a total of $1,108,250 to 1,344 eligible students.
  • As of July 13, 2020, we had disbursed a total of $1,286,250 to 1,608 eligible students.
  • As of August 20, 2020, we had disbursed a total of $1,488,500 to 1,858 eligible students.
  • As of October 1, 2020, we had disbursed a total of $2,2,79,250 to 2,372 eligible students.
  • As of November 5, 2020, we had disbursed a total of $2,416,500 to 2,497 eligible students.
  • As of November 19, 2020, we had disbursed a total of $2,461,500 to 2,537 eligible students.
  • As of December 17, 2020, we had disbursed a total of $2,536,500 to 2,609 eligible students.
  • As of January 14 , 2021, we have disbursed a total of $3,046,750 to 2,757 eligible students.
  • As of June 30, 2022, we have disbursed a total of $17,613,500 to 10645 eligible students.
  • As of January 4, 2023 we have disbursed a total of $18,380,246 to 10942 eligible students.

HEERF II Funding

  • As of January 27,  2022, we have disbursed a total of $3,267,046 to 4,596 eligible students.
  • As of January 4,  2023, we have disbursed a total of $3,268,196 to 4,596 eligible students.

HEERF III Funding

  • As of August 4, 2022, we have disbursed a total of $11,077,741 to 7475 eligible students.
  • As of January 4, 2023, we have disbursed a total of $11,843,804 to 7475 eligible students.

School Acknowledgement

On April 14, 2020 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.

Method for Determining Awards

Based on the CARES Act guidelines, Merced College is distributing these funds to Title IV eligible students with the greatest need. Students cannot have been enrolled in only online classes prior to the school closure. Amounts awarded are based on Spring 2020, Summer 2020 or Fall 2020 enrollment as shown below: 

Units Enrolled Eligible Amount
12 + $1,000
9 – 11.5 $750
6 – 8.5 $500
.5 – 5.5 $250
Units Enrolled Eligible Amount
Minimum 3 units $300
4 units $400
5 units $500
6 units $600
7 units $700
8 units $800
9 units $900
10 units $1000
11 units $1100
12 units $1200
13 units $1300
14 units $1400
15+ units

Max amount awarded

 $1500

Institutional Portion of Funds

50% of the CARES Act funds received is directed to the institution to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic. The funds will be spent only on those costs for which the institution has a reasoned basis for concluding such costs have a clear nexus to significant changes to the delivery of instruction due to the coronavirus.

The CARES Act also provides additional funding for minority serving institutions. These additional funds may be used to defray expenses (including lost revenue, reimbursement for expenses already incurred, technology costs associated with a transition to distance education, faculty and staff trainings, and payroll).

A summarized reporting of the District’s use of these funds as of September 2020 are provided below.

CARES Act Reports & Disclosures

Quarterly Budget and Expenditure Reporting under CARES Act Sections