COVID-19 Information
Because of the coronavirus pandemic, our schedules and plans have all changed rapidly – and they continue to evolve as our leaders at all levels evaluate how to keep citizens safe. HSU will use this page for all updates and information our Hardin-Simmons family needs as things change.
- There are currently 6 active confirmed positive HSU-related case(s) (updated 12/2/20)
- If you would like information regarding current Taylor County cases visit https://abilenetx.gov/933/COVID-19
Oct. 14, 2020: Quarterly Budget and Expenditure Reporting for CARES Act
July 6, 2020 Update
In June 2020, it was discovered that one student who was originally distributed funding was not eligible. As such, funding previously distributed to this student was returned to the U.S. Department of Education on June 5, 2020.
As of July 6, 2020, the total amount of Emergency Financial Aid Grants distributed to HSU students under Section 18004(a)(1) of the CARES Act is $966,319.30. These funds were distributed on May 4, 2020.
Per the guidance issued and in effect at the date of distribution, 1,445 students were eligible to receive Emergency Financial Aid Grants under Section 18004(a)(1) of the CARES Act.
As of July 6, 2020, each of the 1,445 eligible students has received an Emergency Financial Aid Grant in the amount of $668.74. Funds were distributed evenly to all eligible students.
May 22, 2020 Update
As part of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, the Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund (HEERF) provides colleges with emergency grants for their students.
Hardin-Simmons University (HSU) signed and returned the Certification and Agreement form to the U.S. Department of Education on April 13, 2020. HSU intends to use no less than 50 percent of funds received under Section 18004(a)(1) of the CARES Act to provide Emergency Financial Aid Grants to Students.
HSU has received $967,003 from the U.S. Department of Education pursuant to the institution’s Certification and Agreement for Financial Aid Grants to Students.
As of May 12, 2020, the total amount of Emergency Financial Aid Grants distributed to HSU students under Section 18004(a)(1) of the CARES Act is $966,988.04. These funds were distributed on May 4, 2020.
Per the guidance issued and in effect at the date of distribution, 1,446 students were eligible to receive Emergency Financial Aid Grants under Section 18004(a)(1) of the CARES Act. To be eligible, students must have been attending face-to-face classes before March 13, 2020, and have demonstrated eligibility to participate in programs under Section 484 in Title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965.
As of May 12, 2020, each of the 1,446 eligible students has received an Emergency Financial Aid Grant in the amount of $668.74. Funds were distributed evenly to all eligible students.
Each student attending the institution was sent email communication regarding the Emergency Financial Aid Grants. The information from the email can be seen in the May 1: CARES ACT Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund update below.
Dear Students and Parents,
I hope you are enjoying your summer, taking classes, working, and spending time with your family and friends. On-campus, we are busy getting ready for the fall, and we continue to monitor COVID-19 because the safety and health of our campus community is paramount. Many of you have asked me whether we will be able to get back to “normal”?
Our New Normal
While we will always strive to provide a normal HSU experience, we must balance this with keeping our campus community as safe as possible. While Abilene has not seen the level of cases that other metropolitan areas in Texas have seen, our student population comes from many places and we all must work together for the benefit of each other. Sometimes this requires what feels like an inconvenience or sacrifice, but we all know that given the current situation we need to prepare for a new “normal”.
Necessary Precautions
Our desire is to continue to facilitate the rich and meaningful experiences and daily interactions that are so important to the Hardin-Simmons experience. Through coordinated effort and strategic discussion, we have come to better understand the risks and precautions needed to bring everyone back onto campus safely and effectively. We are thoughtfully and carefully considering various health and safety measures and during the coming weeks we will be updating you on the precautions we are instituting.
Individual Responsibility
We know that each person’s individual behavior and choices must be aligned for the common good of everyone here at HSU. Things may quickly change, and we need to be ready to pivot and modify plans for the continued protection of our campus community. In the days ahead, we will have many opportunities to show we love our neighbor as ourselves – and thereby live out an education enlightened by Christian faith and values. Everyone’s cooperation will be critical to our success.
Weekly Updates
Over the next several weeks leading to campus arrival, we will communicate with you regularly regarding specific details of our campus safety plan including prevention measures, academic calendar updates, and campus enrichment activities. So be watching your email inbox. The current calendar of important dates is available on our website.
Daily Prayer
Know that I pray for you daily as I walk around campus. Please be praying for us as we finalize planning for the fall semester. I look forward to seeing you here on campus and hearing about all the things you have been doing.
Eric
