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CARES Act: Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund

The CARES Act appropriates about $14 billion for higher education, with about $12.5 billion to be split for emergency grants to students and money for institutional needs in light of the coronavirus pandemic. According to the law, colleges must award at least half of their total allocation to students for expenses to address educational costs pertaining to the students' transition to online learning, including things like course materials and technology, as well as food, housing, health care and childcare.

Institutional funding allocations were set by a formula prescribed in the CARES Act that is weighted significantly by the number of full-time students who are Pell-eligible. It also takes into consideration the total population of the college and the number of students not enrolled full-time online before the coronavirus outbreak. The U.S. Department of Education used the most recent data available from the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) and Federal Student Aid (FSA) for the calculation.

Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund

HEERF Quarterly Report Ending June 30, 2023

HEERF Quarterly Report Ending March 31, 2023

HEERF Quarterly Report Ending December 31, 2022

HEERF Quarterly Report Ending September 30, 2022

HEERF Quarterly Report Ending June 30, 2022 Revised

HEERF Quarterly Report Ending June 30, 2022

HEERF Institution Funds Quarter Report Ending March 31, 2022 

2021 HEERF ANNUAL REPORT

HEERF Institution Funds Quarter Report Ending December 31, 2021 

HEERF Institution Funds Quarter Report Ending September 30, 2021

HEERF Institution Funds Quarter Report Ending June 30, 2021

HEERF Institution Funds Quarter Report Ending March 31, 2021

HEERF Institution Funds Quarter Report Ending December 31, 2020

HEERF Institution Funds Quarter Report Ending September 30, 2020

In order to access the CARES Act funds, the U.S. Department of Education required a signed certification from each higher education institution affirming they would distribute the funds in accordance with applicable law. The college or university could then determine how the grant disbursement would be allocated within the guidelines set forth by the Department of Education.

Saint Charles Community College (SCC) has received Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act funds for emergency financial aid grants to support students with expenses associated with the disruption of campus operations due to COVID-19. Eligible expenses include areas such as food, housing, utilities, course materials, technology, health care, child care, and moving/transportation expenses.

  1. An acknowledgement that the institution signed and returned to the Department the Certification and Agreement and the assurance that the institution has used, or intends to use, no less than 50 percent of the funds received under Section 18004(a)(1) of the CARES Act to provide Emergency Financial Aid Grants to students.

    SCC signed and returned the CARES Act Funding Certification and Agreement on April 23 and received the Grant Award Summary from the Department of Education on May 3, 2020.

  2. The total amount of funds that the institution will receive or has received from the Department pursuant to the institution's Certification and Agreement [for] Emergency Financial Aid Grants to Students.

    SCC received $1,341,237.00 in CARES, $1,341,237 in CRRSAA, and $4,917,908 in ARP emergency financial aid grants for students. All of this aid has been received by the institution and is in the process of being awarded to SCC students.

  3. The total amount of Emergency Financial Aid Grants distributed to students under Section 18004(a)(1) of the CARES Act as of the date of submission (i.e., as of the 30-day Report and every 45 days thereafter).

    The entire $1,341,237.00 allocation will be awarded to students in the form of emergency grants with the maximum amounts up to $750.00.

    3rd quarter report - As of October 1,2020 540 students have been awarded emergency grants totaling $453,966.

    4th quarter report- As of December 31, 2020 1,384 students have been awarded emergency grants totaling $877,650

    CRRSAA and ARP quarterly reports

    1st quarter report-January 2021-March 2021 752 students have been awarded HEERF emergency grants totaling $464,837

2nd quarter report-April 2021-June 2021 1,952 students have been awarded HEERF emergency grants totaling $1,316,400

3rd quarter report-July 2021-September 2021 365 students have been awarded HEERF emergency grants totaling $432,999

4th quarter report-October 2021- December 2021 1,835 students have been awarded HEERF emergency grants totaling $4,399,980

1st quarter report-January 2022-March 2022 110 students have been awarded HEERF emergency grants totaling $262,500

  1. The estimated total number of students at the institution 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.

    SCC estimates to assist over 1,500 student with funding from the CARES Act.

  2. The total number of students who have received an Emergency Financial Aid Grant to students under Section 18004(a)(1) of the CARES Act.

    As of August 18, 2020, 201 SCC students have received assistance from the federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act Grant.

  3. The method(s) used by the institution to determine which students receive Emergency Financial Aid Grants and how much they would receive under Section 18004(a)(1) of the CARES Act.

    The CARES emergency grants were awarded on a first-come, first-served basis at SCC. The applicants were emailed a checklist/survey, which required them to check one or more reasons why they needed emergency financial assistance on the application.

    Students must be eligible for Title IV funds and have completed a 2020-21 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Additionally, students must be enrolled for nine (9) credit hours for the Fall semester in a degree or certificate seeking program. Students who are eligible for the award receive either $500.00 or $750.00. Awards will be disbursed directly to students and will be delivered through the existing SCC process.

    CRRSAA emergency grants were awarded on a first-come, first-served basis at SCC. The applicants were emailed a checklist/survey, which required them to check one or more reasons why they needed emergency financial assistance on the application. The following amounts were awarded for the Spring 2021 and Summer 2021.

    • 750 to students enrolled in 9 credit hours or more in the Spring 2021 term
    • $500 to students enrolled in 6 to 8 credit hours or more in the Spring 2021 term

    Dual credit students

    • $500 per student for 10+ credit hours
    • $250 per student for 3 credit hours to 9 credit hours
    • Total amount allocated to this student population = $100,000
    • Estimated number of eligible students = 400
    • Work with high school counselors to obtain student applications

    Non-credit students

    • $750 per student
    • Total amount allocated to this student population = $200,000
    • Estimated number of eligible students = 280
    • 130 students in non-credit certificate programs, including healthcare
    • 150 students in workforce/AEL/HISET

    ARP emergency grants were awarded on a first-come, first-served basis at SCC. The applicants were emailed a checklist/survey, which required them to check one or more reasons why they needed emergency financial assistance on the application. Below is the amounts used to award students.

    Credit Students

    • $3,000 per student for 12+ credit hours
    • $1,500 per student for 6 credit hours to 11 credit hours

    Dual credit students

    • $750 per student for 10+ credit hours
    • $500 per student for 6 credit hours to 9 credit hours
    • $250 per student for 3 credit hours to 5 credit hours
    • to obtain student applications contact Kathy Brockgreitens

    Non-credit students

    • $750 per student
    • non-credit certificate programs, including healthcare
    • 150 students in workforce/AEL/HISET

  4. Any instructions, directions, or guidance provided by the institution to students concerning the Emergency Financial Aid Grants.

    The guidance and instructions provided by SCC for the CARES Act emergency grants consisted of direct emails to students and information posted to the SCC website.

 

Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act (CRRSAA)

Saint Charles Community College will receive $1,341,237 to provide additional emergency financial aid grants to students through the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act (CRRSAA), a Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund (HEERF) for students impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Unlike last spring's Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act grants, which were limited to students with expenses connected to the disruption of campus operations or a move to online learning, CRRSAA funds are available to support SCC students struggling to cover any component of their cost of attending college or for emergency expenses that have arisen due to the coronavirus.

Degree and certificate-seeking students, as well as non-degree seeking, non-credit, dual enrollment, and continuing education students participating in spring 2021 courses, may apply for a CRRSAA emergency financial aid grant. CRRSAA funds are limited to U.S. citizens or eligible non-citizens. Although recipients need not be Title IV eligible, post-secondary students with exceptional need documented through completion of a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) may receive priority awarding.

Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund (HEERF) rules stipulate that students with exceptional need, often documented through completion of a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), receive priority awarding.

SCC will make a second award to students who are Pell eligible as documented by completing the FAFSA. The award to this group of students be as follows:

  • $750 to students enrolled in 9 credit hours or more in the Spring 2021 term
  • $500 to students enrolled in 6 to 8 credit hours or more in the Spring 2021 term

Dual credit students

  • $500 per student for 10+ credit hours
  • $250 per student for 3 credit hours to 9 credit hours
  • Total amount allocated to this student population = $100,000
  • Estimated number of eligible students = 400
  • Work with high school counselors to obtain student applications

Non-credit students

  • $750 per student
  • Total amount allocated to this student population = $200,000
  • Estimated number of eligible students = 280
  • 130 students in non-credit certificate programs, including healthcare
  • 150 students in workforce/AEL/HISET

Requests will be considered on a first-come, first-served basis until funds are depleted. Submission of an application is not a guarantee that a grant will be awarded. Students who have withdrawn from the institution are not eligible. As stated above, students with exceptional need, often documented through completion of a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), receive priority awarding.

If approved, your grant amount will be based on your summer 2021 or fall 2021 enrollment level at the time of payment. For non-degree students, a comparable level of enrollment will be determined.

Credit Students

  • $2,000 per student for 12+ credit hours
  • $1,500 per student for 6 credit hours to 11 credit hours
  • Total amount allocated to this student population = ~$1 mil

Dual credit students

  • $500 per student for 10+ credit hours
  • $250 per student for 3 credit hours to 9 credit hours
  • Estimated number of eligible students = 400
  • Work with high school counselors to obtain student applications

Non-credit students

  • $750 per student
  • Estimated number of eligible students = 280
  • 130 students in non-credit certificate programs, including healthcare
  • 150 students in workforce/AEL/HISET
 

For CRRSAA emergency financial aid grant consideration SCC is creating three applications for students to complete. One application will be for degree and certificate-seeking students and one will be for non-degree-seeking, non-credit, and one for dual credit students.

American Rescue Plan Act (ARP)

Saint Charles Community College will receive $4,917,908 to provide additional emergency financial aid grants to students through the American Rescue Plan Act (ARP), a Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund (HEERF) for students impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Unlike last year's Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act grants, which were limited to students with expenses connected to the disruption of campus operations or a move to online learning, ARP funds are available to support SCC students struggling to cover any component of their cost of attending college or for emergency expenses that have arisen due to the coronavirus.

Degree and certificate-seeking students, as well as non-degree seeking, non-credit, dual enrollment, and continuing education students participating in Fall 2021 courses, may apply for a ARP emergency financial aid grant. ARP funds are not limited to U.S. citizens or eligible non-citizens. Although recipients need not be Title IV eligible, post-secondary students with exceptional need documented through completion of a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) may receive priority awarding.

Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund (HEERF) rules stipulate that students with exceptional need, often documented through completion of a Free Application.

Requests will be considered on a first-come, first-served basis until funds are depleted. Submission of an application is not a guarantee that a grant will be awarded. Priority will be given to students with exceptional need, such as students who receive Pell Grants.  Students who have withdrawn from the institution are not eligible. As stated above, students with exceptional need, often documented through completion of a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), receive priority awarding.

If approved, your grant amount will be based on your fall 2021 enrollment level at the time of payment. For non-degree students, a comparable level of enrollment will be determined.

Credit Students

  • $3,000 per student for 12+ credit hours
  • $1,500 per student for 6 credit hours to 11 credit hours

Dual credit students

  • $750 per student for 10+ credit hours
  • $500 per student for 6 credit hours to 9 credit hours
  • $250 per student for 3 credit hours to 5 credit hours

Non-credit students

  • $750 per student
  • non-credit certificate programs, including healthcare
  • 150 students in workforce/AEL/HISET