CARES Act: Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act

HEERF Grants: Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund

Austin Kade Academy is required to report certain information related to the use of HEERF funds. The following information is reported for the period of 3/1/2020- Final Report.

Austin Kade Academy signed and submitted to the Department of Education the Recipient’s Funding Certification and Agreement for the STUDENT PORTION HEERF Grants authorized by Section 18004(a)(1) of the CARES Act, for the student portion of the funds on 5/18/2020.

Austin Kade Academy assures that 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 will be distributed directly to students.

To date, Austin Kade has received $82,829 of the total distribution of $82,829 for the Student Portion. To date, $82,829 or 100% of those funds have been distributed to eligible students who have expressed need of these Emergency Funds.

Austin Kade Academy has approximately 71 students 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. 71 students have received Emergency Financial Aid Grants to students under Section 18004(a)(1).

Austin Kade Academy sent notice to all eligible students via text message, in person announcements and phone calls explaining the purpose of the HEERF Grant. Students were informed of eligibility requirements, what the funds may be used for and how to notify Austin Kade Academy if they were interested in receiving these funds. Cost of Living expenses are the only authorized use of these funds. Cost of Living expenses include; food, housing, course materials, technology, health care and childcare.

Students were required to certify whether or not they experienced financial hardship due to coronavirus school closures. Students were given the option to express if they did NOT experience a hardship and did not require additional funds. All eligible students interested in receiving funds, or expressly stating they did NOT wish to receive funds, were required to complete a HEERF Grant Funds Agreement. Funds were distributed evenly among the total number of eligible students.

Students were considered eligible for emergency grant funds if they met all of the following requirements:

1. They expressed interest in receiving these funds.
2. They were either enrolled at Austin Kade Academy during the COVID-19 school closure and quarantine (March 30-May 4, 2020), completed their hours during the school closure, or began instruction after the closure was over.
3. They participated (if enrolled) in the Distance Education that was offered during closure.
4. They are currently, or were at the time they completed their hours, meeting SAP standards and are/were considered in good standing with Austin Kade Academy.
5. They are not currently on a Leave of Absence.
6. They agreed to only use Emergency Grant funds for authorized, cost of living, expenses.