News

Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund Report III

September 28, 2020

Central Community College received nearly $1.9 million from the U.S. Department of Education to assist with COVID-related expenses. Central Community College submitted to the department the signed certification and agreement on April 14, 2020, and received the funds on April 21, 2020.

The allocation is part of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Securities Act, or CARES Act, which was passed on March 27, 2020. The measure stipulates that half of the total federal dollars granted to the institution ($945,227) be directed as emergency cash grants for students impacted by the coronavirus.

Students were informed that the college received CARES Act funds and that they would be receiving an electronic form to complete if they wanted to apply for an Emergency Financial Aid Grant. Additional public notifications occurred through press releases, broadcast news interviews, and social media. A committee of seven college employees reviewed the applications weekly to determine if the applicant had identified a need based on federal guidelines.

Students received e-mails at their CCC address similar to the one below:

Your application for CARES Act Funding has been reviewed, and you have been awarded a $500 grant to be disbursed the end of this week. This funding is to be used to pay for expenses incurred due to interruptions in your education due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The funds will be issued via check to the address in our CCC database (unless you indicated a different address on your application) or to your bank account if you have provided your bank information on your WebCentral account for direct deposit.

Spring Semester Award (April 21-May 20) 30-Day Report

The college contacted 5,880 students, who were registered on March 9 or later, at their CCC e-mail addresses. Central Community College awarded students based on their enrollment status:

• Full-time (12 or more credit hours) - $1,000

• Three-quarter-time (9-11 credit hours) - $750

• Half-time (6-9 credit hours) - $500

• Less than half-time (five or fewer credit hours) - $250

Central Community College determined that 2,674 students were eligible to participate in programs under Section 484 in Title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965 and thus met the eligibility requirements to receive Emergency Financial Aid Grants. Weekly reminders were provided to students through their CCC e-mail accounts. The FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) is used to determine if a student is Title IV eligible. The application process included questions regarding expenses incurred by the student from March 9 on that were specific to COVID-19 (i.e., unexpected additional living expenses, daycare costs, technology expenses, etc.).

A total of 1,304 students completed the application. Of that number, 673 students were eligible and received grants for a total of $535,750. Funds not expended to date will be available to students enrolled in summer or fall semesters who may be determined eligible until funds are expended.

Summer Semester Award (June 5 - June 30) 45-Day Report

This report was posted earlier than the 45-day report deadline because June 30 was the last day before the July 6 reporting date when students were awarded.

Central Community College contacted 1,256 students who were registered for any summer course that was in session between May 26 and June 4, at their CCC e-mail addresses. These students were eligible to participate in programs under Section 484 in Title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965. They thus met the eligibility requirements to receive Emergency Financial Aid Grants for the summer term. Weekly reminders were provided to students through their CCC e-mail accounts. The FAFSA is used to determine if a student is Title IV eligible. The application process included questions regarding expenses incurred by the student from March 9 on that were specific to COVID-19 (i.e., unexpected additional living expenses, daycare costs, technology expenses, etc.).

Central Community College used the same award amounts from the spring semester, except that students who received the $1,000 max in the spring semester were only eligible for an additional $500 for the summer term. A total of 489 students completed the application, and 298 students were eligible and received grants for a total of $115,750.

Summer Semester Award (June 30-August 13) 45-Day Report

This report is an extension of our previous Summer Semester Award Report. During the summer session, Central Community College contacted 1,256 students who were registered for any summer course at their CCC e-mail addresses. These students were eligible to participate in programs under Section 484 in Title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965. They thus met the eligibility requirements to receive Emergency Financial Aid Grants for the summer term. Weekly reminders were provided to students through their CCC e-mail accounts. The FAFSA is used to determine if a student is Title IV eligible. The application process included questions regarding expenses incurred by the student from March 9 on that were specific to COVID-19 (i.e., unexpected additional living expenses, daycare costs, technology expenses, etc.).

Central Community College used the same award amounts from the spring semester, except that students who received the $1,000 max in the spring semester were only eligible for an additional $500 for the summer term. A total of 72 students completed the application between June 30 and the last day of summer classes on July 24. Eighty-six students were eligible and received grants for a total of $34,750.

Fall Semester Award (August 31-September 25) 45-day Report

Central Community College contacted 1,957 students who were registered for any fall course that was registered for class as of August 28, 2020, at their CCC e-mail addresses. These students were eligible to participate in programs under Section 484 in Title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965. They thus met the eligibility requirements to receive Emergency Financial Aid Grants for the fall term. Weekly reminders were provided to students through their CCC e-mail accounts. The FAFSA is used to determine if a student is Title IV eligible. The application process included questions regarding expenses incurred by the student from March 9 on that were specific to COVID-19 (i.e., unexpected additional living expenses, daycare costs, technology expenses, etc.).

Central Community College used the same award amounts from the spring and summer semester, and students who previously received funds were not eligible. A total of 696 students completed the application, and 326 students were eligible and received grants for a total of $333,150.

Total CARES Act Funding Awarded

Central Community College expended the total $945,227 in emergency cash grants for students impacted by the coronavirus plus an additional $170,273 of institutional CARES Act funds. In total, 1,369 students received grants for a total of $1,115,500.