CARES Act Higher Education Emergency Relief Funds for Institutional and Student Support

Student Support

Updated January 9, 2023

In March 2020, the Federal Government established the Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund (HEERF) under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Stability Act (CARES).  On April 23, 2020, Onondaga Community College (OCC) signed the Recipient’s Funding Certificate and Agreement for the Emergency Financial Aid Grants to Students under the CARES Act and returned the document to the Department of Education.  As required by Section 18004(a)(1) of the CARES Act, the College agreed to use no less than 50% of the total CARES funding received to provide emergency financial grants to students 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 child care).

• OCC has received access to $2,611,278 from the Department of Education pursuant to the College’s Certification and Agreement for Emergency Financial Aid Grants to Students.
• OCC has distributed the following CARES Act funding to students under Section 18004(a)(1) of the CARES Act.

Spring 2020

Awarding Methodology and Eligibility

The College used a dual approach for the distribution of CARES Act Emergency Financial Aid Grants.  
A portion of the funds received ($1,182,559) were distributed using the following matrix/formula.

Students receiving the matrix/formula allocations were determined based on their Estimated Family Contribution (EFC) reported in the students Free Application for Financial Aid (FAFSA) for 2019-2020, their dependency status and their registered credits as of March 15, 2020.

The second method allowed eligible students to apply to received CARES Act funding for expenses already incurred, or anticipated to incur, that were in excess of any CARES funding received through the matrix/formula process.  Students who were eligible to receive Title IV funds in accordance with 484 requirements could complete the online application to request emergency CARES Act funds.

Under Section 18004(a)(1) of the CARES Act, students will receive awards ranging from $30 to $1,500.

Repayment

You do not need to repay a Federal CARES Emergency Grant.

Impact on Financial Aid

This funding will not have any effect on your current or future financial aid eligibility.

Student Communication

Text message - Hi <FIRST NAME> , this is Financial Aid from OCC.  You will be receiving CARES Act funding.  To find out more about this award, and to certify for receipt of the funds, please visit https://www.sunyocc.edu/caresconfirm
 

Fall 2020

Awarding Methodology and Eligibility

The College used a dual approach for the distribution of CARES Act Emergency Financial Aid Grants.  
A portion of the funds received ($980,194) were distributed using the following matrix/formula.

Students receiving the matrix/formula allocations were determined based on their Estimated Family Contribution (EFC) reported in the students Free Application for Financial Aid (FAFSA) for 2019-2020, their dependency status and their registered credits as of November 16, 2020.

The second method allowed eligible students to apply to received CARES Act funding for expenses already incurred, or anticipated to incur, that were in excess of any CARES funding received through the matrix/formula process.  Students who were eligible to receive Title IV funds in accordance with 484 requirements could complete the online application to request emergency CARES Act funds.

Under Section 18004(a)(1) of the CARES Act, students will receive awards ranging from $30 to $1,500.

Repayment

You do not need to repay a Federal CARES Emergency Grant.

Impact on Financial Aid

This funding will not have any effect on your current or future financial aid eligibility.

Student Communication

[Contact.First Name],

In response to the coronavirus, funds have been made available through the CARES Act to award emergency grants to Title IV eligible students for expenses related to the disruption due to the coronavirus. Eligible expenses include food, housing, health care, childcare, transportation, technology and other course material.  The Campus had deemed you eligible to receive a CARES Act award.  If you are signed up for direct deposit you will receive the funds directly into the identified bank account, if not you will receive a check in the mail at the address we have on file. This is not a loan and will not need to be paid back.These funds are for the following allowable expenses of food, housing, course materials, technology, health care, childcare, and/or transportation as a result of the coronavirus. If you have an outstanding balance with the College we would be happy to work with you to develop a plan for payment which would allow you to continue toward your educational goals. Please reach out to us at 315.498.2000 for assistance.

Thank you,

Student Central

CRRSAA – Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund (HEERF II) 

On December 27, 2020 the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2021 (CRRSAA) was signed into law. The provision provides additional support for education.  

• OCC has received access to $2,611,278 from the Department of Education pursuant to the College’s Certification and Agreement for Emergency Financial Aid Grants to Students. 

• OCC has distributed the following CRRSAA funding to students under Section 314(a)(1) of the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act. 

Spring 2021 

Awarding Methodology and Eligibility

The College used a dual approach for the distribution of CRRSAA Emergency Financial Aid Grants.   
A portion of the funds received ($2,532,916.13) were distributed using the following matrix/formula. 

Students receiving the matrix/formula allocations were determined based on their Estimated Family Contribution (EFC) reported in the students Free Application for Financial Aid (FAFSA) for 2020-2021, their dependency status and their registered credits as of February 20, 2021.  Prior to distribution, students, with written or electronic consent, who have balances due to the institution were given the option to apply all or part of their award to their account balance. 

The second method allowed eligible students to apply for additional CRRSAA fund emergency grants for expenses already incurred, or anticipated to incur, that were in excess of any CRRSAA funding received through the matrix/formula process.  Students who were eligible to receive Title IV funds in accordance with 484 requirements could complete the online application to request emergency CRRSAA funds. 
Section 314(a)(1) of the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act, students will receive awards ranging from $505.88 to $1,349.00. 

Repayment 

You do not need to repay a Federal CRRSAA Emergency Grant. 

Impact on Financial Aid

This funding will not have any effect on your current or future financial aid eligibility. 

Student Communication – Students with outstanding balances 

[Contact.First Name], 

“In response to the coronavirus pandemic, funds have been made available through the CRRSAA Act to award emergency grants to students for expenses related to your cost of attendance for emergency costs that arise due to coronavirus.  Eligible expenses include tuition, food, housing, health care (including mental health care), or childcare.  OCC has deemed you eligible, through a matrix formula provided by SUNY, to receive an emergency grant in the amount of $_______.  Understand that it is your responsibility to notify faoinfo@sunyocc.edu immediately if you will not incur expenses that meet or exceed the amount of your emergency grant.   

The emergency grant funds can be applied to your outstanding balance.  Our records indicate you currently have an outstanding balance in the amount of $_________.  To apply the funds you are eligible for to your balance please click the link below and complete the form by Tuesday, April 6, 2021.   

We anticipate the funds to be issued the week of April 12, 2021.  If you haven’t already done so, you can sign up for direct deposit by visiting your MyOCC account by Thursday, April 8, 2021.” 

Thank you, 

Student Central 

Student Communication – Students without balances due 

[Contact.First Name], 

“In response to the coronavirus pandemic, funds have been made available through the CRRSAA Act to award emergency grants to students for expenses related to your cost of attendance for emergency costs that arise due to coronavirus.  Eligible expenses include tuition, food, housing, health care (including mental health care), or childcare.  OCC has deemed you eligible, through a matrix formula provided by SUNY, to receive an emergency grant in the amount of $_______.  Understand that it is your responsibility to notify faoinfo@sunyocc.edu immediately if you will not incur expenses that meet or exceed the amount of your emergency grant.   

We expect the funds to be issued the week of April 12, 2021.  If you haven’t already done so, you can sign up for direct deposit by visiting your MyOCC account by Thursday, April 8, 2021.”     

Thank you, 

Student Central 

ARP – American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (HEERF III) 

On March 1, 2021 the Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund III (HEERF III) was authorized by the American Rescue Plan. The provision provides additional support for education. ARP funds are in addition to funds authorized by the CARES Act and CRRSAA Act. 

• OCC has received access to $9,850,984 from the Department of Education pursuant to the College’s Certification and Agreement for Emergency Financial Aid Grants to Students. 

• OCC has distributed the following ARP funding to students under Section 2003(a)(1) of the American Rescue Plan. 

Institutional Reporting