CARES Act

The American Rescue Plan (ARP) included additional COVID-19 relief for institutions of higher education. This new COVID stimulus bill included $40 billion, available through September 30, 2023, for higher education institutions and students, using the same Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund (HEERF) model established in the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act. RCC has signed and returned the certification and agreement form as required by the U.S. Department of Education in order to award funds from the $2,585,305 allocation received.

Eligibility Requirements:

• Currently enrolled in a degree or certificate program on or after March 13, 2020, the date of declaration of the national emergency due to the coronavirus
• Demonstrate financial need by completing a 2022-2023 FAFSA.
• APPLY & certify the use of the HEERF III funds for any component of a student’s cost of attendance or for emergency costs that arise due to coronavirus, such as:
  • Tuition
  • Fees
  • Books & Supplies
  • Food
  • Housing
  • Health care (including mental),
  • Child care

Application & Selection Process:

1. Students can apply for HEERF III by completing the COVID-19 Emergency Financial Aid Grant Application.
2. Amounts are awarded based on financial need as determined by the student’s Estimated Financial Contribution (EFC) for the respective semester as listed below:

Submission of an application does not guarantee automatic approval. Funds have been prioritized to assist students with the highest financial need. Students will be notified via the student email of their approval status. Students may also view approved awards by accessing their Self-Service portal and clicking on “My Financial Aid Offer”.    

Disbursement Process:

The emergency aid will be disbursed through the usual student refund process. Students can authorize the use of the funds to pay an outstanding balance by checking the “authorize use” check box on the COVID-19 Emergency Financial Aid Grant Application. All refunds will be issued via a check mailed to the student’s address on file. Students should check their Self-Service portal to verify the correct address on file.

UPDATE: ALL HEERF I FUNDS HAVE BEEN EXHAUSTED

On December 27, 2020, the President signed the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2021 (CRRSAA). A portion of this funding is dedicated to higher education institutions and students. RCC has signed and returned the certification and agreement form as required by the U.S. Department of Education in order to award funds.

Eligibility Requirements:

• Currently enrolled in a degree or certificate program on or after December 27, 2020.
• Be a U.S. citizen, permanent resident, or eligible noncitizen (international, undocumented, and DACA students are not eligible)  
• Demonstrate financial need by completing a 2021-2022 FAFSA 
• Apply & certify the use of the HEERF II funds for any component of a student’s cost of attendance or for emergency costs that arise due to coronavirus, such as:
  • • Tuition
    • Fees
    • Books & Supplies
    • Food
    • Housing
    • Health care (including mental),
    • Child care

Application & Selection Process:

1. Students can apply for HEERF II by completing the Emergency Financial Aid Grant Application
   1. Log into the student E-form portal by clicking the link above.
   2. Select “Other General Documents”;
   3. Select the “21/22 COVID19 Emergency Financial Aid Grant” on the 2nd page of the list of forms. 
2. Amounts are awarded based on financial need as determined by the student’s Estimated Financial Contribution (EFC) for the appropriate semester as listed below:

  EFC 0                  $750

EFC 1-5846          $500

EFC 5847-8500   $375

EFC 8500+            $250

Submission of an application does not guarantee automatic approval. Funds have been prioritized to assist students with the highest financial need as demonstrated by the EFC and/or loss of employment. Students will be notified via the student email of their approval status. Students may also view approved awards by accessing their Self-Service portal and clicking on “My Financial Aid Offer”.

Disbursement Process:

The emergency aid will be made through the usual student refund process. Students can authorize the use of the funds to pay an outstanding balance by checking the “authorize use” check box on the Emergency Financial Aid Grant Application. All refunds will be issued via a check mailed to the student’s address on file. Students should check their Self-Service portal to verify the correct address on file.

UPDATE: ALL HEERF I FUNDS HAVE BEEN EXHAUSTED (04/06/21).

As part of the federal CARES (Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security) Act, Robeson Community College (RCC) signed and submitted a Certification and Agreement to the U.S. Department of Education and was allocated $1,637,622 from the Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund (HEERF), of which 50% or $818,811 will be provided as direct payments to students as an emergency financial aid grant for expenses incurred related to the disruption of campus operations due to Coronavirus.  RCC received an additional $183,428 allocation as a Minority Serving Institution (MSI). The process listed below is for the initial 50% of RCC’s allocation for emergency financial aid grants to students. 

To APPLY, students can complete the online certification form

Click on the link, sign into your E-Forms and complete the Request for Financial Assistance E-form.

Selection & Awarding Process (Round 3):  New and returning students who did not receive a CARES Emergency Financial Aid Grant during Round 1 or 2 of the initial RCC CARES Act selection process may be eligible to receive CARES Act funding for the Fall 2020 semester or future semesters if s/he incurred expenses related to the disruption of campus operations due to Coronavirus.

The following process will apply to select eligible students during Round 3:

1. An eligible student must have a 2020-2021 FAFSA on file and meet the following Title IV eligibility criteria defined by Sec. 484 of the HEA:
   • Be enrolled or accepted for enrollment in a degree or certificate program.
   • Not be enrolled in elementary or secondary school.
   • For currently enrolled students, be making satisfactory academic progress.
   • Not owe an overpayment on Title IV grants or loans.
   • Not be in default on a Title IV loan.
   • File “as part of the original financial aid application process” a certification that includes
     1. A statement of educational purpose.
     2. Student’s SSN.
   • Be a U.S. citizen or national, permanent resident, or other eligible noncitizen.
   • Have returned fraudulently obtained Title IV funds if convicted of or pled guilty or no contest to charges.
   • Not have fraudulently received Title IV loans in excess of annual or aggregate limits.
   • Have repaid Title IV loan amounts in excess of annual or aggregate limits if obtained inadvertently.
   • Have Selective Service registration verified.
   • Have Social Security Number verified.
   • Not have a federal or state conviction for drug possession or sale, with certain time limitations.
2. New or returning students must be enrolled in curriculum courses for the Fall 2020 semester.
3. Student must not be enrolled in the following online programs:

• • Associate in Arts – A10100DL
  • Business Administration – A25120DL
  • Criminal Justice Technology – A55180DL
    

6. Students can apply electronically to certify that s/he incurred expenses related to the campus disruption due to Coronavirus (students who receive funding are not required to record or track how it is spent).
7. Amounts are awarded based on financial need as determined by the student’s Estimated Family Contribution (EFC) and enrollment status for the appropriate semester as listed below:
   • EFC 0-2500: $1000
   • EFC 2501-5711: $750
   • EFC 5712 -8500: $500
   • EFC 8501 and higher: $250
8. Furthermore, awarded amounts will be prorated based on the student’s enrollment status for the appropriate semester as follows:

• • 12+ credits: 100%
  • 9-11 credits: 75%
  • 6-8 credits: 50%
  • 1-5 credits: 25%

7. Funds will be distributed by the Business Office to students via a check mailed to the address on file

**Awards are subject to the availability of funds. After the first and second round of disbursements have been issued, any remaining funds will be issued as follows for round #3:

UPDATE: ALL HEERF I FUNDS HAVE BEEN EXHAUSTED

Section 18004(e) of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (“CARES Act”) directs institutions receiving funds under Section 18004 of the Act to report the following information (Update #7 as of 04/06/21):

1. The total amount of Emergency Financial Aid Grants distributed to students under Section 18004(a)(1) of the CARES Act as of the date of submission (i.e., as of the 30-day Report and every 45 days thereafter).  $822,314
   
2. The estimated total number of students at the institution eligible to participate in programs under Section 484 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. 938 students
   
3. The total number of students who have received an Emergency Financial Aid Grant to students under Section 18004(a)(1) of the CARES Act. 790 recipients
   
4. The method(s) used by the institution to determine which students receive Emergency Financial Aid Grants and how much they would receive under Section 18004(a)(1) of the CARES Act.
5. Any instructions, directions, or guidance provided by the institution to students concerning the Emergency Financial Aid Grants.

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