News

Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund 2 Student Awards Report

July 1, 2021

On Dec. 27, 2020, the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act (CRRSAA) of 2021 was signed, providing funding to educational institutions to prevent, prepare for, and respond to the Coronavirus.

Central Community College received $4,636,930 of CRRSAA funds. The funding required that CCC spend at least $945,227 (minimum) in grants to students. The CRRSAA of 2021 allows institutions to award student grants for the following needs and expenses that occurred on or after December 27, 2020:

any component of their cost of attendance at CCC
emergency costs that arise due to Coronavirus, such as:

tuition
food
housing
health care (including mental)
childcare

Central Community College awarded a total of $1,376,800 to students in the spring of 2021. Grants were awarded in a four-tier process; some students may have received funds in multiple tiers.

First Tier: All award-seeking students who were Pell-eligible students

Awards were based on the student’s enrollment of less than half-time, half-time, three-quarter-time, and full-time. Degree, diploma, and certificate-seeking students were eligible. Awards were consistent with past rounds. Students who completed financial aid during the remainder of the term and who fell under this tier were awarded as follows:

Full time - $1,000
3/4 time - $750
1/2 time - $500
Less than 1/2 time - $250

Following is an example of the email sent to students regarding their award:

On Dec. 27, 2020, the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act of 2021 was signed, providing funding to educational institutions to prevent, prepare for, and respond to the Coronavirus.

Central Community College applied for and received funds through this Act to be made available to students who have financial needs or expenses since Dec. 27, 2020. As a Pell Grant eligible student, you are eligible for this emergency relief funding.

Please check your My Financial Aid page on WebCentral to see the amount that has been awarded to you and will be disbursed to you approximately Feb. 26. If you have previously signed up for direct deposit of all refunds, that’s how these funds will be disbursed to you. If you have not signed up for direct deposit, the award will be sent to you as a check, to the address that is in our database currently.

The amount of aid awarded is based on enrollment status (number of credits registered for this semester that count toward graduation requirements). Awards are as follows:

Full-Time (12 or more credits) $1,000
Three-Quarter Time (9-11 credits) $750
Half-Time (6-8 credits) $500
Less Than Half Time (1-5 credits) $250

If you still owe a balance on your account at Central Community College this semester, you can use these funds toward payment of that bill.

If you have any questions concerning this award, please do not hesitate to contact me.

Have a great semester.

Tier 1 was put into effect on Feb. 17, awarding funds based on enrollment status as explained above to all currently registered and Pell-eligible recipients. Throughout the semester, additional funds were awarded (as files were completed) to additional Pell-eligible students. Approximately 1,200 students were awarded a total of $938,350.

Second Tier: Students who had a FAFSA on file but did not receive Pell Grants

Tier 2 was put into effect in early March when an email was sent to the CCC email address of all students with a FAFSA on file for the 2021-21 year who had not already received HEERF2 funding as a Pell-eligible student.

Same funding amounts as Tier 1
Degree, diploma, and certificate seeking students could apply to this tier
Students needed to complete the FAFSA to ensure they had fulfilled the selective service requirement and were a U.S. citizen or eligible non-citizen
The application was sent through Survey Monkey to the CCC email address of the eligible students, with weekly reminders
- Update previously used application to include:
  - Need to qualify expenses that occurred after Dec. 27, 2020
  - Loss of work, technology, medical, inability to meet basic financial needs, and daycare became eligible

A survey monkey questionnaire was included asking if any of the following statements were true:

I am unable to pay for basic needs such as rent, utilities, groceries, etc. due to COVID-related issues.
I have had health care costs due to a COVID diagnosis or due to a health department recommended self-quarantine.
I have experienced additional costs due to childcare coverage issues.
I have experienced additional costs due to technology needs (i.e. computer, internet access, etc.)
I have had to spend additional funds on course materials to replicate course assignments at home vs. campus.
Other (please explain)

Four staff members formed a committee to evaluate the applications that were submitted.

Through this process, over seven weeks, an additional 214 students were awarded $174,750.

Although the minimum financial aid dispersment required by CRRSAA had been met, the institution also allocated additional aid directly to students through a Third and Fourth Tier criteria explained below.

Third Tier: Bulk award to residence hall students to compensate for diminished cafeteria options

Tier 3 was put into effect on April 13, 2021. Columbus campus and Hastings campus students who lived in a residence hall and had a meal plan were awarded as follows:

$500 to all 14-meal plan students
$600 to all 19-meal plan students

An additional 278 students were awarded a total of $147,200.

Fourth Tier: Awards to Early College Students who qualified for ACE scholarships through the State of Nebraska

Tier 4 was awarded at the same enrollment funding level as Tier 1. Early College students who qualified for funding through the state (by meeting free lunch eligibility requirements) were awarded 336 grants, for a total of $116,500.

Grand Total

In all, 2,028 students (may be duplicated) were awarded, for a total of $1,376,800.