The CARES Act (Also known as the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act) is federal legislation which provides a variety of financial support to individuals and businesses affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. The CARES Act established and funded the Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund to provide emergency funding to higher education institutions. The CARES Act Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund-IHE/Student Aid provides funding to institutions to provide emergency financial aid grants to students whose lives have been disrupted, many of whom are facing financial challenges and struggling to make ends meet.
The CARES Act requires institutions to use no less than 50 percent of HEERF funds received under Sections 18004(a)(1) of the CARES Act to provide emergency financial aid grants to students.
Treasure Coast Technical College has signed and returned to the U.S. Department of Education the Certification and Agreement to receive $53,916 from the Department, provided under Section 18004(a)(1) of the CARES Act.
Spring 2020 Emergency Financial Aid Grants Distributed to Students
The total amount of Emergency Financial Aid Grants distributed to students under Section 18004(a)(1) of the CARES Act as of June 5th, is $26,958. Treasure Cost Technical College had 54 eligible students, 38 students applied and were awarded.
The method(s) used by the institution to determine which students receive Emergency Financial Aid Grants was:
- Be enrolled in at least part-time in a Career and Technical Education program as of the date of the CARES Act
- Have a high school diploma or a General Education Development (GED) certificate, or have completed homeschooling
- Be a U.S. citizen or national, permanent resident, or an eligible non-citizen
- Have submitted a 2019-20 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)
- Students were required to complete an online application, which was posted on the school’s website
- Awards were determined based on need and length of program(part-time-full-time)
- Full-Time students were awarded $800.00 dollars
- Part-time Students were awarded $ 400.00 dollars
Spring 2021 Emergency Financial Aid Grants Disbursed to students HEERF II)
On December 27, 2020, the President signed the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2021 (CRRSAA). HEERF II, provides financial support to higher education institutions. A portion of each institute’s allocation must be awarded to students in the form of emergency financial aid grants for expenses related to the disruption of campus operations due to the COVID-19.
Treasure Coast Technical College has signed and returned to the U.S. Department of Education the Certification and Agreement to receive $125,602.00 from the Department, provided under Section 18004(a)(4) of the CARES Act. As of March 2021, TCTC has received a total of $179,518. Students received an additional $53,916.00.00 in Emergency grant funding. Total funds disbursed as of March 2021 $81,416.
- Be enrolled in at least part-time in a Career and Technical Education program as of the date of the CARES Act
- Be a U.S. citizen or national, permanent resident, or an eligible non-citizen
- Valid Social Security number
- Students were required to complete an online application, which was posted on the school’s website
- Have submitted the Free Application for Federal Student Aid or students who did not complete the fafsa; but were eligible to file the Free Application for Federal Student Aid
Fall 2021 Emergency Financial Aid Grants Disbursed to Students (HEERF III)
The Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund III (HEERF III) is authorized by the American Rescue Plan (ARP), Public Law 117-2, signed into law on March 11, 2021. HEERF III provides financial support to higher education institutions.
The total amount of Emergency Financial Aid Grants distributed to students under Section 18004(a)(3) of the CARES Act as of August 19,2021, is $144,916.00. Treasure Cost Technical College disbursed an additional $63,500.00 dollars, 71 eligible students applied, 69 students were awarded.
- Be enrolled in at least part-time in a Career and Technical Education program as of the date of the CARES Act
- Students were required to complete an online application, which was posted on the school’s website
- Award amounts were prioritized by need and length of program(part-time-full-time)
- Full-Time students were awarded a maximum of $1200.00 dollars
- Part-Time students were awarded a maximum of $500.00 dollars
Spring 2022 Emergency Financial Aid Grants Disbursed to Students (HEERF111)
The total amount of Emergency Financial Aid Grants distributed to students under Section 18004(a)(3) of the CARES Act as of March 28, 2022, is $207,018.00. Treasure Cost Technical College disbursed an additional $62,102.00, 76 students applied, 69 students were awarded.
- Be enrolled in at least part-time in a Career and Technical Education program as of the date of the CARES Act
- Students were required to complete an online application, which was posted on the school’s website
- Award amounts were prioritized by need and length of program(part-time-full-time)
- Full-Time students were awarded a maximum of $1200.00 dollars
- Part-Time students were awarded a maximum of $500.00 dollars
Frequently Asked Questions from Students about the Higher Education Emergency Relief Student Grants
- Do I have to repay the emergency financial aid grant I received from my university through the CARES Act?
- No. The funds provided by the CARES Act are grants, so they do not need to be repaid.
2. I am a student who received an emergency financial aid grant from my university through the CARES Act. Is this grant includible in my gross income?
- No. According to the Internal Revenue Service, “Emergency financial aid grants under the CARES Act for unexpected expenses, unmet financial need, or expenses related to the disruption of campus operations on account of the COVID-19 pandemic, such as unexpected expenses for food, housing, course materials, technology, health care, or childcare, are qualified disaster relief payments under section 139.”
- For more information please visit: https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/faqs-higher-educationemergency-relief-fund-and-emergency-financial-aid-grants-under-the-cares-act.
3. What can emergency financial aid grants provided by the CARES Act be used for?
Emergency financial aid grants to students can be used for expenses related to the disruption of campus operations due to coronavirus (including eligible expenses under a student's cost of attendance, such as food, housing, course materials, technology, health care, and childcare). Please click here for more information about what is included in a student’s cost of attendance.
Resources
https://www.ed.gov/coronavirus