News
Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund Report
May 20, 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.
The college contacted 5,880 students, who were registered on March 9 or later, at their CCC e-mail addresses. 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. 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.
A total of 1,304 students completed the application, and 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.
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.