Amarillo College acknowledges that it signed and returned the federal Certification and Agreement to receive CARES Act funding on  May 18, 2020 and agreed to use no less than 50% of the funds received under Section 18004(a)(1) of the CARES Act to provide Emergency Financial Aid Grants to students.

Amarillo College received $2,700,035 million from the US Department of Education for CARES emergency financial aid grants to be distributed to students.

As of September 21st, 2021 Amarillo College has distributed $2,700,035 in CARES Act funding to 5,537 eligible students. All funds for this emergency grant to students have been expended.

Student eligibility is determined by completion of the Free Application for Federal Student Aid to determine if student meets all eligibility requirements for Title IV aid. As of 11/19/2020 4,939 students were determined to have submitted a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and were currently attending courses at Amarillo College.

As of September 21st, 2021 Amarillo College has distributed $2,700,035 in CARES Act funding to 5,537 eligible students.

In order to comply with the guidance received from the US Department of Education, Amarillo College will prioritize Title IV Eligible students with the greatest need. Amarillo College will award emergency grants ranging from $100 to $1800 based on the student's need and category of need. Students who wish to apply for and receive this assistance must:

• Have completed a 20/21 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)
• Not be enrolled exclusively in an online program.
• Not be and international or undocumented student.
• Complete the Amarillo College CARES Emergency Aid Application.

Students received an email notification approximately 2 weeks before the beginning of the Fall 2020 semester to complete a self-assessment which was then routed to an AC Poverty Coach for processing.  The AC Poverty Coach reviewed the self-assessment and, if approved, assisted the student in completing the AC CARES Act Emergency Aid Application.  The Advocacy and Resource Center reviewed and approved each application and submitted any approvals to the Financial Aid Office for awarding and processing of the award. In addition, all students who submitted a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and were currently attending classes as of September 2020 were awarded a $100 CARES Act grant.