SCC Use of Federal CARES (Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security) Act Funds
The CARES Act provides support to postsecondary education students and institutions. The act authorizes the Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund to provide cash grants to students for expenses related to disruptions to their education due to the COVID-19 outbreak. The institution is required to report the information below and update it every 45 days.
Updated Nov. 24, 2020
1. SCC has executed and returned to the U.S. Department of Education the Recipient’s Funding Certification and Agreement that states that the institution will use no less than 50 percent of the funds received under Section 18004(a)(1) of the CARES Act to provide Emergency Financial Aid Grants to students.
2. Pursuant to the above Certification and Agreement, SCC has received $593,815 for Emergency Financial Aid Grants to students.
3. The total amount of Emergency Financial Aid Grants to students that SCC has distributed as of the above date is $526,797.
4. The estimated total number of SCC students 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 is 850.
5. The total number of students who have received an Emergency Financial Aid Grant to students under Section 10884(a)(1) of the CARES Act as of the above date is 730.
6. The method used to determine which students receive Emergency Financial Aid Grants and how much they receive under Section 18004(a)(1) of the CARES Act is as follows:
a. To identify students who were eligible to receive funds, SCC looked for students who had filed a 2019-20 FAFSA and passed or resolved all eligibility checks, which included, but are not limited to, having a valid Social Security number, being a U.S. citizen or eligible noncitizen, having a high school diploma or its equivalency, not being in default on a student loan or having a grant overpayment, being enrolled in an eligible program of study, making Satisfactory Academic Progress, and if male, registering with the Selective Service.
b. The amount of the funds awarded in the initial distribution in April 2020 was prorated, with greater amounts going to students with full time enrollment status and the most need based on their FAFSA Expected Family Contribution (EFC), and lesser amounts going to students with lower enrollment statuses and/or less need. Students who were half time or less than half time, and only in online classes as of March 13, 2020 were not awarded.
c. A second round of awards were distributed in late May and early June 2020 to Title IV eligible students that incurred additional expenses to return to campus or clinical sites to complete hours from the Spring 2020 semester. These awards were prorated based on the contact hours the students needed to complete.
d. A group of students were awarded out of the Nursing program in July 2020. These funds were given to Title IV eligible students who completed required hours to assist with their Nursing board exams.
7. Students receiving funds were notified via email and/or a letter enclosed with the check, that the Emergency Financial Aid Grants are to help with their expenses related to the disruption of campus operations due to COVID-19. They were also told about the method to determine eligibility and amount received.
8. The final round of awards was distributed to students on Oct. 20. An application was sent to 578 students who had a course disruption requiring their course to move to an online or hybrid format. These students were asked to complete the application if they had expenses related to the disruption. SCC issued the remaining $66,881 to 108 students. Amounts ranged from $356 to $650 with greater amounts given to students enrolled full-time, and the lesser amounts given to students in lower-enrollment statuses.
CARES Act Reporting (HEERF I)
Institutions receiving funds under Section 18004 of the CARES Act are required to report to the Secretary of Education the use of funds distributed from the Higher Education Emergency Relief (HEERF). This section provides information about Southwestern Community College’s participation in the CARES ACT and a link to the Report describing the college’s use of the HEERF Institutional Portion funding (P425F200689). This information will be updated no later than 10 days after the end of each calendar quarter.
Southwestern Community College signed the Certification and Agreement for the Institutional Portion of the Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund under the CARES Act to the Department of Education on 04/21/2020. The college was allocated $593,815 for the Institutional Portion to cover institutional costs associated with the coronavirus.
Please click on the link below to view the college’s Quarterly Budget and Expenditure Reporting under CARES Act Section 18004(a)(1) Institutional Portion and 18004(a)(2). The report reflects the total amount(s) allocated and amount expended for the quarter.
HEERF I (CARES ACT) Quarterly Reporting (9/30/20)
HEERF I (CARES ACT) Quarterly Reporting (12/31/20)
HEERF I (CARES ACT) Quarterly Reporting (03/31/21)
In addition to the $593,815, Southwestern Community College received funding for Strengthening Institutional Programs (P425M200827) in the amount of $58,926.
HEERF II (CRRSA) Information
The Federal CRRSA Act
The Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund II (HEERF II) is authorized by the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2021 (CRRSAA), Public Law 116-260, signed into law on Dec. 27, 2020. In total, the CRRSAA authorizes $81.88 billion in support for education, in addition to the $30.75 billion expeditiously provided last spring through the Coronavirus Aid, Recovery, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, Public Law 116-136.
Southwestern Community College received $1,888,695 for the Institutional Portion and $102,725 for Strengthening Institutions under the CRRSAA Appropriations Act.
A link to the report describing the college's use of the CRRSAA Higher Education Emergency Relief Funds (HEERF II) can be found below.
HEERF II (CRSAA Quarterly Reporting (03/31/21)
Funds were disbursed to students who had completed a FAFSA for the 2020-2021 academic year, met citizenship requirements, and were prioritized by students who had exceptional financial needs. Students were awarded in 3 groups by their Expected Family Contribution (EFC). 0-1000 EFC received $75 per credit hour, 1001-8500 EFC received $50 per credit hour, and 8500+ received $25 per credit hour. Credit hours were capped at 16 hours and recorded as of March 15th, 2021 enrollment. In the Spring 2021 semester, $542,875 was given out to 906 students with awards ranging from $75 -$1200 per student.
All CRRSAA funds were disbursed by check and mailed to the student’s address on file. Grants were to be used for the financial challenges which have arisen during the coronavirus pandemic. Examples of these costs are food, transportation, healthcare, housing, technology, or childcare.
HEERF I, II & III Information
Following is a link to a report detailing SCC's quarterly budget and expenditure reporting for HEERF I, II and III:
HEERF I, II & III (6/30/2021)
HEERF I, II & III (9/30/2021)
HEERF I, II, & III (12/31/2021)
HEERF I, II, & III (3/31/2022)
APR Funding guidelines
Block grants were disbursed to students enrolled in Fall 2021 who had a 2021-2022 FAFSA on file and in a curriculum program. To focus on giving the funds to students with “exceptional need” students with an EFC 15000 and below were awarded. Each award will be based on the student’s enrollment level (as of 09/09/21), full time, 3/4 time, 1/2 time and 1/4 time.
We will have 3 tiers
- 0-1000 EFC (most needy) $1200
o Full-time $1200
o Three-quarter time $900
o Half-time $600
o Less-than-half-time $300
- 1001-8500 EFC $1000
o Full-time $1000
o Three-quarter time $750
o Half-time $500
o Less-than-half-time $250
- 8501-15000 EFC $600
o Full-time $600
o Three-quarter time $450
o Half-time $300
o Less-than-half-time $150
Block grants were disbursed to students enrolled in Spring 2022 who had a 2021-2022 FAFSA on file and in curriculum program. To focus on giving the funds to students with "exceptional need" students with an EFC 15000 and below were awarded. Each award will based on the student's enrollment level (as of 4/29/2022), full time, 3/4 time, 1/2 time and 1/4 time.
- 0-15000 EFC
o Full-time $1000
o Three-quarter time $700
o Half-time $475
o Less-than-half-time $250
Communication to students
2021 Fall
SCC CARES Award
You have been awarded federal Higher Education Emergency Relief Funds (HEERF III) that were provided by the recent ARP legislation (American Rescue Plan). These funds are to help with the financial challenges that have arisen due to the coronavirus pandemic.
The APR award is made to students who have filed a FAFSA and have an Expected Family Contribution of 15,000 or less. The amount varies depending on students; enrollment status and federal need calculations.
To see your award amount, access the Financial Aid section of your mySCC. Once there click the Account Summary link, then Fall 2021. You can then click the refund drop-down to see the amount you will receive.
Checks will be MAILED to your address on file Friday, September 17th.
PLEASE CHECK YOUR mySCC PROFILE TO SEE THE MAILING ADDRESS ON FILE. IF YOUR ADDRESS IS INCORRECT, CONTACT ME (s_cabe@southwesterncc.edu) IMMEDIATELY.
SCC cares about your well-being and success.
2022 Spring
SCC CARES Award
You have been awarded federal Higher Education Emergency Relief Funds (HEERF III) that were provided by the recent ARP legislation (American Rescue Plan). These funds are to help with the financial challenges that have arisen due to the coronavirus pandemic.
The APR award is made to students who have filed a FAFSA and have an Expected Family Contribution of 15,000 or less. The amount varies depending on students; enrollment status and federal need calculations.
To see your award amount, access the Financial Aid section of your mySCC. Once there click the Account Summary link, then Spring 2022. You can then click the refund drop-down to see the amount you will receive.
You can then click the refund drop-down to see the amount you will receive.
Checks will be MAILED to your address on file Tuesday, May 10.
PLEASE CHECK YOUR mySCC PROFILE TO SEE THE MAILING ADDRESS ON FILE. IF YOUR ADDRESS IS INCORRECT, CONTACT ME (s_cabe@southwesterncc.edu) IMMEDIATELY.
SCC cares about your well-being and success.
APR tuition assistance
Students were given the option to have their tuition paid with APR if they met the following criteria. Had a FAFSA on file, enrolled 6 hours, had no other source of funding, and gave SCC the permission to pay their balance. If student did not give permission they could be issued the funds to pay their debt. Students with need (EFC below 15,000) were funded through the student portion of APR. $474,683.05 of the student portion was used to pay students tuition, $234,162.80 of institutional funds were used to pay student’s balances.
The total amount of funds that the institution has been authorized for Emergency Financial Aid Grants to students is
- CARES - $593,815
- CRRSAA - $593,815
- ARP - $2,255,342
Total Amount of HEERF Grants Distributed to Students
The total amount of Emergency Financial Aid Grants distributed to students under the Student Portion of Section 18004 (a)(1) of the CARES Act:
- As of June 30, 2020 = $521,556
- As of September 30, 2020 =$526,934
- As of October 20, 2020 = $593,815 Fully expended
The total amount of Emergency Financial Aid Grants distributed to students under the Student Portion of Section 314 (a)(1) of CRRSAA:
- As of March 31, 2021 = $536,800
- As of June 30, 2021 = $537,475
- As of September 30, 2021 = $548,883.28
- As of December 31, 2021 = $554,828.28
- As of March 31, 2022 = $554,828.28
The total amount of Emergency Financial Aid Grants distributed to students under the Student Portion of Section 2003 (a)(1) of ARP:
- As of March 31, 2021 = $0
- As of June 30, 2021 = $0
- As of September 30, 2021 = $1,367,207
- As of December 31, 2021 = $1,423,467.10
- As of March 31, 2022 = $1,471,715.62
Total Number of Students Receiving HEERF Grants
The total number of students who have received an Emergency Financial Aid Grant to students under Section 18004 (a)(1) of the CARES Act:
- As of June 30, 2020 = 725
- As of July 16, 2020 = 729
- As of September 30, 2020 = 837
- As of December 31, 2020 = 837
- As of March 31, 2021 = 837
The total number of students who have received an Emergency Financial Aid Grant to students under Section 314 (a)(1) of CRRSAA:
- As of March 31, 2021 = 890
- As of June 30, 2021 = 894
- As of September 30, 2021 = 921
- As of December 31, 2021 = 935
- As of March 31, 2022 = 935
The total number of students who have received an Emergency Financial Aid Grant to students under Section 2003 (a)(1) of ARP:
- As of March 31, 2021 = 0
- As of June 30, 2021 = 0
- As of September 30, 2021 = 1495
- As of December 31, 2021 = 1575
- As of March 31, 2022 = 1597
These guidelines will be followed subject to the availability of HEERF funding.
