Student Emergency Aid

The Alamo Colleges District and its family of colleges—Northeast Lakeview College, Northwest Vista College, Palo Alto College, St. Philip’s College and San Antonio College—have, like everyone around the globe, been affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. This has caused the district and colleges to make some difficult decisions to ensure the health and safety of our community.

Learn More About Our Operational Changes

However, even in these unprecedented times, the district’s mission is unchanged: to remain focused on student success and access, putting students first and empowering the community.

To support our students through this crisis, Alamo Colleges District has established Student Emergency Aid to provide emergency resources for students who need temporary assistance.

This overarching program of financial relief for students is made up of several different funds including:

the Federal Emergency Aid (CARES Act, CRRSAA, and ARP)
the Alamo Colleges Foundation’s Student Impact Fund
the colleges’ Advocacy Centers

0

ALAMO COLLEGES grants provided via HEERF FUNDS
0

of those students are students with dependents
$0

Total Dollars in Student Emergency Grants Awarded
($72.9 M from Student Grants + $10.3 from Institutional and Minority Serving Grants)

Federal Emergency Aid

Eligible Expenses
	Purchase Textbooks
	Access Technology Needed to Support Remote Learning
	Buy Groceries
	Pay Rent or Utility Bills
	Pay Healthcare Expenses
	Pay Childcare Expenses
	Tuition and Outstanding Balances

In order to assist all students who are eligible to receive funds under the various federal emergency aid packages provided to us, the Alamo College District leadership made the decision to act and provide a one-time payment of $200 to all students enrolled for the Fall 2021 semester on or before August 5, 2021.

Eligible students who do not receive aid under this first distribution of one-time payments can submit an application for Federal Emergency Aid as outlined below.

Allocations to each individual college for student emergency aid were determined by the U.S. Department of Education.

The Higher Education Emergency Relief Grants under all federal aid programs are based on emergency costs that arise due to the coronavirus. The funding is not tied to existing financial aid programs such as Pell Grants and can be used by students for any component of the cost of attendance at the colleges.

Student eligibility requirements for all Federal Emergency Aid are based on guidance and criteria provided by the U.S. Department of Education.

To be eligible for Federal Emergency Aid students must:
Be or have been enrolled full or part-time in the semester for which you are requesting funds

How to Apply for Federal Emergency Relief Funds

The Federal Emergency Assistance Application is now closed.

If you still need emergency assistance, please contact one of the colleges’ Student Advocacy Centers through the Alamo Colleges Advocacy Helpline at 210-486-1111.

Follow these steps:

Log into the ACES portal using your Username and Password
Select the ‘Student’ option from the sidebar menu
Select the ‘Web Services’ link
Select the ‘Financial Aid’ tab
Click on ‘Federal Emergency Assistance Application’ from the list of options
This will open an Adobe Sign page
Follow the prompts to complete the application

Federal Emergency Aid FAQs

What are the Federal Emergency Aid Funds?

How do I qualify for Federal Emergency Aid?

What are eligible expenses?

How do I apply for the Federal Emergency Aid Funds?

When will I know the results?

How will I be notified?

Any amount awarded will be visible on your student account summary (bill) via ACES within 48 hours of approval.

To view your student account summary, follow these steps:

Log into ACES
Select ‘Student’ from the menu along the left
Select on ‘Web Services’
Select on ‘Student’
Select on ‘Student Account’
Select on ‘Account Summary’
Locate your award and amount

PLEASE NOTE: The amount awarded will NOT show up under your Financial Aid awards in ACES – it will only be visible on your bill.

Please allow up to 2 weeks for your application to be processed and for an email to be sent to your ACES student email with status. The amount awarded may be more or less than the amount requested. Please budget accordingly.

Can I choose how I get my grant funds?

If awarded a grant it, it can be processed as a refund to you based on your selection in ECSI.

Grants can be processed as:

Direct deposit to your existing bank account on file with ECSI, or
If not signed up for direct deposit, a check will be mailed to your current address on file in ACES.

A grant can also be used towards paying current or future tuition or unpaid balances at the college.

For more information on refund options, visit the ECSI's website or phone toll-free at 1-844-760-6052.

What are the grant amounts?

Awarding of grant funds will be made on a case-by-case basis. Several factors will be considered in awarding grants.

The amount of a grant will be determined based on the number of applications received, availability of funds, and the specific needs presented in the application.

Alamo Colleges cannot guarantee that all applicants will be selected for funding or that they will receive the full amount of their request.

What if I owe Alamo Colleges for tuition or other expenses and fees?

Will a Federal Emergency Aid grant negatively affect my financial aid for this year or next year?

Are there other grants available if I don’t qualify under the Federal Emergency Aid programs?

May I apply for funds for a future semester?

What if a Student Doesn't Meet the Qualifications Listed for the Federal Emergency Aid?

If a student doesn’t meet the qualifications for federal emergency aid, the student may qualify for other emergency aid:

Additional Assistance:

Student Impact Fund & Advocacy Centers

To apply for other available emergency aid, please contact one of the colleges’ Student Advocacy Centers through the Alamo Colleges Advocacy Helpline at 210-486-1111.

Operating Hours for the Advocacy Helpline

Monday – Thursday:
8 a.m. – 7 p.m.

Friday:
8 a.m. – 5 p.m.

First Saturday of the month:
9 a.m. – 1 p.m.