Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund (CARES Act)
Latest Update: 7/08/2022 (student), 7/08/2022 (institutional)
In March 2020, Congress passed the U.S. Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, which included the Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund (HEERF). The fund provides support to eligible students who have been impacted by the coronavirus pandemic. This relief funding was designed to provide emergency financial assistance to help with technology, course material, housing, and food insecurities. For detailed information regarding the fund, please visit the following websites:
- https://www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ope/caresact.html
- https://www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ope/crrsaa.html
- https://www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ope/arp.html
In order to receive the emergency funding, Howard Community College (HCC) submitted the required certification agreeing to use no less than 50% of the funding as emergency financial aid grants to students. HCC was approved and received initial student relief funding in the amount of $2.4 million in April 2020. A second supplemental award amount of $2.4 million was issued in January 2021 and a third supplemental award amount of $8.8 million was issued in May 2021 for a total of $13,688,500. The amounts shown below include both the initial and supplemental award disbursements.
To date, HCC has awarded the following:
| Quarter | Date Range | Number of Students | Total Disbursed |
|---|---|---|---|
| Q1 | 01/01/2020-03/31/2020 | 0 | 0 |
| Q2 | 4/1/2020-6/30/2020 | 2271 | $981,900.00 |
| Q3 | 7/1/2020-9/30/2020 | 828 | $358,750.00 |
| Q4 | 10/01/2020-12/31/2020 | 1966 | $998,650.00 |
| Q1 | 01/01/2021-03/31/2021 | 1920 | $1,218,244.00 |
| Q2 | 4/1/2021-6/30/201 | 37 | $12,988.00 |
| Q3 | 7/1/2021-9/30/2021 | 1457 | $2,183,963.00 |
| Q4 | 10/1/2021-12/31/2021 | 2597 | $6,407,519.00 |
| Q1 | 01/01/2022-03/31/2022 | 2726 | $1,512,903.00 |
| Q2 | 04/01/2022-06/30/2022 | 12 | $15,583.00 |
| Total Unduplicated Count | 6455 | $13,688,500.00 |
Students who were enrolled at the time of awarding from Winter/Spring 2020 through Winter/Spring 2021 and were eligible for a Pell Grant award, automatically received the relief funding. Students who had a completed Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) on file at the time of awarding, but were not Pell Grant eligible, received a survey to complete to determine eligibility. Based on the survey responses, students who were deemed eligible were also awarded grants.
HCC awarded individual students between $100-$650 in emergency relief funds by utilizing the expected family contribution (EFC) from the FAFSA. Students with the most need (lowest EFC) were awarded the maximum amount. Award amounts were determined based on the number of eligible students.
Beginning with the Summer 2021 semester, HCC Financial Aid Services emailed all eligible students and invited them to complete the emergency relief required agreement in place of the previous utilized survey. Students who accepted the agreement were reviewed for possible awarding of emergency relief funds. Students with exceptional need were prioritized by awarding all pell awarded students first. HCC’s full allocation of student emergency relief funds have been awarded.
HCC must also disclose its use of the institutional portion of the relief fund.
- 6-30-2020 report
- 9-30-2020 report
- 12-31-2020 report
- 3-31-2021 report
- 6-30-2021 report
- 9-30-2021 report
- 12-31-2021 report
- 3-31-2022 report
Student HEERF Quarterly Reports
- Q2_06.30.2020 Report
- Q3_09.30.2020 Report
- Q4_12.31.2020 Report
- Q1_3.31.2021 Report
- Q2_06.30.2021 Report
- Q3_09.30.2021 Report
- Q4_12.31.2021 Report
- Q1_03.31.2022_Report
Combined Student and Institutional Quarterly reports