COVID-19 Resources

If you experience an adverse reaction after vaccination, report your symptoms through one of these resources:

• V-safe After Vaccination Health Checker
• Vaccine Adverse Effect Reporting System (VAERS)

Even after you've been vaccinated, you should continue following public health measures to slow the spread of this disease because none of the vaccines offer 100% protection, and it's unknown if vaccinated people can spread the disease. (For comparison, the measles vaccine is 97% effective and was only recently eradicated from the U.S. in 2000.)

Yes, some people are still trying to take advantage of the pandemic through tricks and playing to people's fears and vulnerabilities.

Be aware of the various COVID scams that involve compromising your bank account, credit cards, social security, and others:

• Federal Trade Commission – Coronavirus Scams
• Consumer Resources – Fake clinical trials and vaccine scams

We continue to monitor our workplace and add safety measures based on guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and other government organizations. In line with those safety measures, we are providing this guidance regarding the use of face coverings to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

Students and employees are required to wear face masks in all university buildings, including classrooms, unless alone in a private office or your residence hall room.

Employees and students will provide their own face mask in accordance with CDC guidelines. It is required that employees and students wear face masks when entering and exiting the building, outdoors when walking with someone or when others are present, in hallways, open workspaces, classrooms, the Library and when using common areas such as bathrooms, kitchens, lounges and common gathering spaces such as the Beehive and the Rogalski Center. If an employee or student is in your workspace and has a face mask on, even if social distancing of 6 feet or more is in place, a face mask must be worn. If you forget to bring your face covering you can buy one at the St. Ambrose Bookstore. It is recommended that you wear a cloth face mask that fits snug to your face and it should be 100% cotton, double layered and washed daily with soap and water. Vented masks are not allowed. Face masks must be business appropriate and be in line with St. Ambrose University's mission and values.

• Gaiters, approved by the Athletics Department and showing the St. Ambrose Bee, meet St. Ambrose requirements and are approved for use. Other types of gaiters are not allowed. The CDC cautions that the effectiveness of gaiters is unknown at this time.
• Face shields (when worn without a mask) will no longer meet the requirement, as the CDC cautions that the effectiveness of face shields is also unknown at this time.
• Students, faculty, and staff may wear face shields for additional protection so long as they are worn with a face mask.
• Instructors may wear a face shield in certain situations where instruction requires an unobstructed view of faces and in situations requiring student accommodations. In these instances, instructors will need to maintain a minimum distance of 6 feet from those they are instructing.
• Remember that wearing a face mask does help prevent the spread of the disease, but only in addition to other measures that you should be taking in the workplace and at home, such as frequent hand washing, cleaning, and sanitizing frequently-touched surfaces, and practicing social distancing.

To get the most benefits from a face mask:

• Make sure the mask fits snuggly and completely covers your nose and mouth.
• Read the directions for use (if provided).
• Wash your hands before and after removing the mask.
• Try not to touch your face when you adjust the mask throughout the day.
• Keep cloth masks clean by washing daily, or more often if contamination occurs.
• Don't let others wear your face mask.
• Keep masks away from machinery that it could get caught in.
• If using disposable face masks, do not reuse them, and throw them away in appropriate trash receptacles.
• Don't lay your face mask on any surface that may contaminate either the covering or the surface.
• Don't use a mask if it is damaged or has holes.
• If you feel sick or if you are experiencing any symptoms of COVID-19 (fever, cough, difficulty breathing, chills, headache, muscle pain, sore throat, or new loss of taste or smell), let your supervisor/department chair know, go home immediately, and contact your healthcare provider for additional guidance.

Blatant violations of this requirement are subject to the Pandemic Non-Compliance Disciplinary Policy. If you have any questions about the use of face masks in the workplace, contact the Human Resources department.

If you have any other questions about this policy contact the Human Resources department at 563-333-6364 or HumanResources@sau.edu.

Background
The COVID-19 Implementation Team implemented a conduct-based response to all COVID-19-related policy violations. This pandemic policy is in the Student Handbook and echoed in the Bee Safe, Bee Responsible Promise.

Over the course of the fall semester, 78 students were sanctioned for not abiding by the safety protocols, and these sanctions spanned written warnings and educational components – in minor infractions – and graduated up to removal from the residence halls for major or recurring violations.

New Plan
As informed by ongoing health and safety updates from the CDC and Scott County, adhering to COVID-19 protocols has never been more important. Centering our efforts on community health and wellbeing, the Implementation Team has made a few adjustments to the conduct policy related to COVID-19 violations, which are summarized below:

• Graduated monetary fines will now be a part of the pandemic conduct process. The first-level fine will be $50.00, and successive violations will double at $100.00 and then $200.00.
• Students in violation of the pandemic policy will be required to complete an educational and/or reflective assignment related to COVID-19.
• If successive violations occur, we will be contacting parents, and loss of housing remains a possibility.
• Finally, any COVID-19-related policy violation from the fall semester will be factored-in when determining sanctions in the months ahead.

These adjusted sanctions are designed to reinforce the safety and well-being of our community.

Quarterly Budget and Expenditure Reports for the CARES Act

Jan. 10, 2021 (pdf)

Sept. 20, 2020 (pdf)

On April 13, 2020, St. Ambrose University (University) signed and submitted to the United States Department of Education the Recipient's Funding Certification and Agreement, Emergency Financial Aid Grants to Students under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act.

As required by Section 18004(a)(1) of the CARES Act, 50% of the funds received by the University must be used for the sole and exclusive purpose of providing emergency financial aid grants to students for their expenses related to the disruption of campus operations due to coronavirus. Examples of these expenses would include food, housing, course materials, technology, health care and child-care expenses. The University has used, and intends to use in the future, no less than 50% of these funds for this purpose. The amount received by the University for this purpose equals $1,027,466.

As of June 26, 2020, the University has distributed $1,027,466 of emergency financial aid grants to 967 students.

In late July, 2020, St. Ambrose University received an additional allocation of $102,855 from the U.S. Department of Education as a result of Section 18004(a)(2) of the CARES Act. St. Ambrose University qualified by application to the Strengthening Institutions Program (SIP). By law, one half of this money must be used to help students deal with emergent financial needs and expenses related to the Coronavirus pandemic (including eligible expenses such as food, housing, course materials, technology, health care, and child care). The other half may be used for various qualified purposes at the discretion of the University.

As of August 17th, 2020, the University has distributed a total of $1,079,513.00 of emergency financial aid grants to 1026 students.

Students eligible for these emergency financial aid grants must also have been eligible to participate in programs under section 484 in Title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965. As of June 26, 2020, the number of students eligible to participate under these programs at the University equaled 2,182.

The method used by the University to allocate these funds included the following criteria:

• Initial awards went to Pell Grant recipients as our highest need students being impacted by COVID-19.
• The Pell range was divided in half, with an EFC of zero to 2,787 EFC receiving $1,200 and an EFC of 2,788-5,576 receiving $600.
• The remainder of the funds were awarded based on student requests.
• Independent students with expenses related to COVID-19 were awarded a maximum grant of $2,500.
• Undergraduate students with expenses related to COVID-19 were awarded a maximum grant of $1,200.
• If funds remained after all requests were reviewed, students could request an additional reimbursement.

A COVID-19 webpage was created and updated with developments happening on campus. The link to the request form noted above was located on this page. The availability of these funds was communicated to students via email. A copy of the message sent to students is as follows:

Dear Student,

This past week, St. Ambrose University received an allocation of $2.05 million from the U.S. Department of Education as a result of Congressional action. By law, one half of this money must be used to help students deal with emergent financial needs and expenses related to the disruption of campus operations due to coronavirus (including eligible expenses such as food, housing, course materials, technology, health care, and child care). The other half may be used for various qualified purposes at the discretion of the University.

If you are experiencing a hardship related to the COVID-19 Pandemic, AND, you are eligible for Title IV Federal Aid (determined by filing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (the FAFSA), we would like to direct you to the CARES Act Relief Fund Request Form .
You can also log on to the COVID information page at: https://www.sau.edu/covid19 for more information. A link to the form is also located there.

IMPORTANT: You must be eligible for Title IV Federal student aid to qualify for assistance. If you have not filed a FAFSA for the 19-20 academic year, you can do that now at https://studentaid.gov/h/apply-for-aid/fafsa The application is open until June 30th for the 19-20 academic year. You are not required to accept federal aid, but this will be used to determine your eligibility for relief grant funding.

Funds will vary by student as the University seeks to address each student's individual situation. Therefore, students will receive notification of their eligibility as soon as possible, but please allow at least five business days for a response. Funding is not guaranteed.

If you do not have direct deposit established with the University there is still time to set it up. Doing so assures that you will receive this funding at the earliest possible date. If direct deposit is not set up prior to your request being approved, we may not be able to issue your funding via direct deposit and a check will be printed and mailed to you.
Instructions on how to set up direct deposit can be found on the Student Account Services webpage directly below the posted office hours section.

Student Account Services http://www.sau.edu/student-accounts
Portal Login: https://mysau.sau.edu/my.policy

Due to the volume of requests anticipated, please do not respond to this email. Please direct questions to Bee Central at 563-333-5775 or to BeeCentral@sau.edu .

We hope you are staying safe and were able to successfully complete the spring semester through distance learning. We value you as an Ambrosian and will do all we can to make your time at St. Ambrose a life-enriching experience as soon as we safely can reopen the campus. Please stay safe and well. We look forward to seeing you soon.

St. Ambrose University Financial Aid Office

2ND NOTICE OF ADDITIONAL SIP FUNDS

Dear Student,
This past week, St. Ambrose University received an additional allocation of $102,855 from the U.S. Department of Education as a result of Section 18004(a)(2) of the CARES Act. St. Ambrose University qualified by application to the Strengthening Institutions Program (SIP). By law, one half of this money must be used to help students deal with emergent financial needs and expenses related to the Coronavirus pandemic (including eligible expenses such as food, housing, course materials, technology, health care, and child care). The other half may be used for various qualified purposes at the discretion of the University.

If you are experiencing a hardship related to the COVID-19 Pandemic, AND, you are eligible for Title IV Federal Aid (normally determined by filing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (the FAFSA), we would like to direct you to the CARES Act Relief Fund Request Form .
You can also log on to the COVID information page at: https://www.sau.edu/covid19 for more information. A link to the form is also located there.

IMPORTANT: You must be eligible for Title IV Federal student aid to qualify for assistance. If you had not filed a FAFSA for the 19-20 academic year, or for the upcoming 20-21 year, you can do the 20-21 FAFSA now at https://studentaid.gov/h/apply-for-aid/fafsa The application is open until June 30th , 2021 for the 20-21 academic year. You are not required to accept federal aid, but this will be used to determine your eligibility for relief grant funding.

Funds will vary by student as the University seeks to address each student's individual situation. Therefore, students will receive notification of their eligibility as soon as possible, but please allow at least 15 business days for a response. Funding is not guaranteed.

If you do not have direct deposit established with the University there is still time to set it up. Doing so assures that you will receive this funding at the earliest possible date. If direct deposit is not set up prior to your request being approved, we may not be able to issue your funding via direct deposit and a check will be printed and mailed to you.
Instructions on how to set up direct deposit can be found on the Student Account Services webpage directly below the posted office hours section.

Student Account Services http://www.sau.edu/student-accounts
Portal Login: https://mysau.sau.edu/my.policy

Due to the volume of requests anticipated, please do not respond to this email. Please direct questions to Bee Central at 563-333-5775 or to BeeCentral@sau.edu .

St. Ambrose University Financial Aid Office

June 3, 2020 Update –All CARES Act Relief Funds the University received have been depeleted.

For more information on the CARES Act, please visit the federal student aid page.

On April 13, 2020, St. Ambrose University (University) signed and submitted to the United States Department of Education the Recipient's Funding Certification and Agreement, Emergency Financial Aid Grants to Students under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act.

As required by Section 18004(a)(1) of the CARES Act, 50% of the funds received by the University must be used for the sole and exclusive purpose of providing emergency financial aid grants to students for their expenses related to the disruption of campus operations due to coronavirus.

Examples of these expenses would include food, housing, course materials, technology, health care, and child-care expenses. The University has used, and intends to use in the future, no less than 50% of these funds for this purpose. The amount received by the University for this purpose equals $1,027,466.

As of May 13, 2020, the University has distributed $575,764 of emergency financial aid grants to 538 students.

Students eligible for these emergency financial aid grants must also be eligible to participate in programs under section 484 in Title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965. As of May 13, 2020, the number of students eligible to participate under these programs at the University equals 2,182.

The method used by the University to allocate these funds included the following criteria:

• Initial awards went to Pell Grant recipients as our highest need students being impacted by COVID-19.
• The Pell range was divided in half, with an EFC of zero to 2,787 EFC receiving $1,200 and an EFC of 2,788-5,576 receiving $600.
• The remainder of the funds will be awarded based on student requests.
• Independent students with expenses related to COVID-19 will be awarded a maximum grant of $2,500.
• Undergraduate students with expenses related to COVID-19 will be awarded a maximum grant of $1,200.
• If funds remain after all requests are reviewed, students can request an additional reimbursement.

A COVID-19 webpage was created and updated with developments happening on campus. The link to the request form noted above was located on this page. The availability of these funds was communicated to students via email. A copy of the message sent to students is as follows:

Dear Student,

This past week, St. Ambrose University received an allocation of $2.05 million from the U.S. Department of Education as a result of Congressional action. By law, one half of this money must be used to help students deal with emergent financial needs and expenses related to the disruption of campus operations due to coronavirus (including eligible expenses such as food, housing, course materials, technology, health care, and child care). The other half may be used for various qualified purposes at the discretion of the University.

If you are experiencing a hardship related to the COVID-19 Pandemic, AND, you are eligible for Title IV Federal Aid (determined by filing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (the FAFSA), we would like to direct you to the CARES Act Relief Fund Request Form .
You can also log on to the COVID information page at: https://www.sau.edu/covid19 for more information. A link to the form is also located there.

IMPORTANT: You must be eligible for Title IV Federal student aid to qualify for assistance. If you have not filed a FAFSA for the 19-20 academic year, you can do that now at https://studentaid.gov/h/apply-for-aid/fafsa The application is open until June 30th for the 19-20 academic year. You are not required to accept federal aid, but this will be used to determine your eligibility for relief grant funding.

Funds will vary by student as the University seeks to address each student's individual situation. Therefore, students will receive notification of their eligibility as soon as possible, but please allow at least five business days for a response. Funding is not guaranteed.

If you do not have direct deposit established with the University there is still time to set it up. Doing so assures that you will receive this funding at the earliest possible date. If direct deposit is not set up prior to your request being approved, we may not be able to issue your funding via direct deposit and a check will be printed and mailed to you.

Instructions on how to set up direct deposit can be found on the Student Account Services webpage directly below the posted office hours section.

Student Account Services http://www.sau.edu/student-accounts
Portal Login: https://mysau.sau.edu

Due to the volume of requests anticipated, please do not respond to this email. Please direct questions to Bee Central at 563-333-5775 or to BeeCentral@sau.edu.

We hope you are staying safe and were able to successfully complete the spring semester through distance learning. We value you as an Ambrosian and will do all we can to make your time at St. Ambrose a life-enriching experience as soon as we safely can reopen the campus. Please stay safe and well. We look forward to seeing you soon.

St. Ambrose University Financial Aid Office

On April 13, 2020, St. Ambrose University (University) signed and submitted to the United States Department of Education the Recipient's Funding Certification and Agreement, Emergency Financial Aid Grants to Students under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act.

As required by Section 18004(a)(1) of the CARES Act, 50% of the funds received by the University must be used for the sole and exclusive purpose of providing emergency financial aid grants to students for their expenses related to the disruption of campus operations due to coronavirus. Examples of these expenses would include food, housing, course materials, technology, health care and child-care expenses. The University has used, and intends to use in the future, no less than 50% of these funds for this purpose. The amount received by the University for this purpose equals $1,027,466.

As of June 26, 2020, the University has distributed $1,027,466 of emergency financial aid grants to 967 students.

Students eligible for these emergency financial aid grants must also be eligible to participate in programs under section 484 in Title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965. As of June 26, 2020, the number of students eligible to participate under these programs at the University equals 2,182.

The method used by the University to allocate these funds included the following criteria:

• Initial awards went to Pell Grant recipients as our highest need students being impacted by COVID-19.
• The Pell range was divided in half, with an EFC of zero to 2,787 EFC receiving $1,200 and an EFC of 2,788-5,576 receiving $600.
• The remainder of the funds will be awarded based on student requests.
• Independent students with expenses related to COVID-19 will be awarded a maximum grant of $2,500.
• Undergraduate students with expenses related to COVID-19 will be awarded a maximum grant of $1,200.
• If funds remain after all requests are reviewed, students can request an additional reimbursement.

A COVID-19 webpage was created and updated with developments happening on campus. The link to the request form noted above was located on this page. The availability of these funds was communicated to students via email. A copy of the message sent to students is as follows:

Dear Student,

This past week, St. Ambrose University received an allocation of $2.05 million from the U.S. Department of Education as a result of Congressional action. By law, one half of this money must be used to help students deal with emergent financial needs and expenses related to the disruption of campus operations due to coronavirus (including eligible expenses such as food, housing, course materials, technology, health care, and child care). The other half may be used for various qualified purposes at the discretion of the University.

If you are experiencing a hardship related to the COVID-19 Pandemic, AND, you are eligible for Title IV Federal Aid (determined by filing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (the FAFSA), we would like to direct you to the CARES Act Relief Fund Request Form. You can also visit the COVID information page for more information. A link to the form is also located there.

IMPORTANT: You must be eligible for Title IV Federal student aid to qualify for assistance. If you have not filed a FAFSA for the 19-20 academic year, you can do that now at the FAFSA website. The application is open until June 30th for the 19-20 academic year. You are not required to accept federal aid, but this will be used to determine your eligibility for relief grant funding.

Funds will vary by student as the University seeks to address each student's individual situation. Therefore, students will receive notification of their eligibility as soon as possible, but please allow at least five business days for a response. Funding is not guaranteed.

If you do not have direct deposit established with the University there is still time to set it up. Doing so assures that you will receive this funding at the earliest possible date. If direct deposit is not set up prior to your request being approved, we may not be able to issue your funding via direct deposit and a check will be printed and mailed to you.
Instructions on how to set up direct deposit can be found on the Student Account Services webpage directly below the posted office hours section.

Student Account Services
MySAU Portal Login

Due to the volume of requests anticipated, please do not respond to this email. Please direct questions to Bee Central at 563-333-5775 or to BeeCentral@sau.edu.

We hope you are staying safe and were able to successfully complete the spring semester through distance learning. We value you as an Ambrosian and will do all we can to make your time at St. Ambrose a life-enriching experience as soon as we safely can reopen the campus. Please stay safe and well. We look forward to seeing you soon.

St. Ambrose University Financial Aid Office