HEERF I (CARES) Student Emergency Grant
(Signed into law on March 27, 2020)
On March 27, 2020, the President of the United States signed the CARES Act (H.R. 748), which provides emergency relief funds to organizations and individuals affected by the coronavirus pandemic. The Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund (HEERF), found in Section 18004 of the CARES Act, provides funding to institutions of higher education “to prevent, prepare for, and respond to coronavirus.” The following information is provided by C-GCC as required by the Department of Education (“ED”) to comply with the reporting requirements under the CARES Act.
C-GCC signed and returned the Certification and Agreement to the U.S. Department of Education on April 14, 2020, for the HEERF Funds for Emergency Financial Aid Grants. C-GCC received its grant award notification dated April 27, 2020. In keeping with the terms of the certification, C-GCC will use no less than 50% of the funds received, as stated under 18004(c) of the CARES Act, to provide Emergency Financial Aid Grants directly to students.
C-GCC received a total of $840,708 under Section 18004(a)(1) of the CARES Act, of which $420,354 is to be provided directly to students impacted by campus disruption due to the Covid-19 crisis.
C-GCC estimates approximately 390 students are eligible to participate 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.
Eligibility
Student must be eligible to receive Title IV (federal) financial aid to be approved for a federal Cares Act grant.
Title IV Eligibility includes:
- US Citizen or eligible non-citizen
- Meeting Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) requirements for the Spring 2020 or Fall 2020 semester
- Currently enrolled in a degree seeking program (part-time or full-time) or you were matriculated and enrolled during the Spring 2020 or Fall 2020 semester
- Not in default of any federal student loans
- Have an official 2019-20 or 2020-21 FAFSA on file and submitted any additional required documentation to the Financial Aid Office
Students must have incurred expenses specifically due to the disruption of campus operations due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The funding must be utilized for the expenses that are requested. Allowable expenses may include food, housing, course materials, technology, travel, healthcare & childcare.
How To Apply
Students who have potential eligibility receive multiple emails with a link to the online application. The application was available on the College’s CARES Act web page.
Determination of Awards
Once a student has been determined eligible for a CARES Act emergency grant, a committee will make an award determination that is based on:
- the actual expenses incurred by the student and
- the Expected Family Contribution (EFC) calculated by the FAFSA.
Under Section 18004(a)(1) of the CARES Act, students received awards ranging from $200 to $2,500. Funds are limited. Priority consideration was given to students who applied before the priority deadline and had the greatest financial need.
Distribution of Grants
All Pell-eligible students will receive their grants by check. All checks will be mailed to students’ permanent addresses.
Required Federal Reporting Data for Student Grants:
- 30-day report ending 5/28/2020 – 0 students received grants under Section 18004(a)(1) of the CARES Act totaling $0 dollars
- Quarterly report as of 9/30/2020 – 36 students received grants under Section 18004(a)(1) of the CARES Act totaling $68,665
- Quarterly report as of 12/31/2020 – 191 students (includes duplicates) received grants under Section 18004(a)(1) of the CARES Act totaling $351,689 for a cumulative total of 227 students receiving $420,354.
Quarterly report as of 3/31/2021 – Since December 31, 2020, C-GCC has not distributed any Emergency Financial Aid Grants. The total amount distributed in Emergency Financial Aid Grants is $420,354 to 227 students.