8/28/2020
Eastern Gateway Community College is very grateful to have the opportunity to deliver additional financial support to qualifying students during this challenging time. The Federal Government has passed the Cornavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (“CARES Act”), which allocates funding for eligible colleges to address needs of students due to the disruption of campus-based operations. EGCC has signed and returned to the Department of Education the Certification and Agreement and assures it 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.
EGCC has received a total of $928,466 through the CARES Act Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund (“HEERF”). The US Department of Education (“ED”) has allocated these funds based on two categories, Student funds and Institutional funds, each with separate usage criteria. This funding was awarded to EGCC based on the number of on-campus, full time, Pell Grant eligible students, and it will be allocated accordingly. In addition to disbursing these funds, EGCC must report how the funds are being disbursed. The data below will be updated within 45 days of this posting, and within every 45 days thereafter.
Student CARES Act Funds – Allocation and Eligibility
- 50% of the total funding ($464,233) will be distributed directly to qualifying students enrolled in the Summer semester, beginning with continuing, returning, and then new students demonstrating need as determined by the 2019-2020 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (“FAFSA”).
- Funding will be issued until exhausted. If funds remain after the Summer semester, funds will be issued in the Fall semester.
- Eligibility Criteria:
- Must reside in EGCC’s Ohio service district (Columbiana, Jefferson, Mahoning, or Trumbull counties).
- Must have completed a 2019-2020 FAFSA, submitted all supplemental documentation as required by ED, and be eligible to receive Title IV Federal Aid.
- Demonstrate financial need as determined by the 2019-2020 FAFSA application.
- Meet all enrollment requirements and attend at least one course during the Summer semester, beginning June 1, 2020.
- The maximum amount a student can receive is $750.
Institutional CARES Act Funds
- 50% of CARES ACT funding is allocated to the College to be used for costs associated with the disruption of campus-based operations.
- A portion (to be determined as expenses are incurred) will be used to cover costs associated with ensuring both our Steubenville and Youngstown campuses are prepared to resume safe and normal operations
- These expenses cover cleaning costs and personal protective equipment such as masks, gloves, and cough shields for students and College staff.
- The remaining portion will be utilized to fund EGCC’s Summer Guarantee, a program that will cover tuition and fee costs for qualifying students residing in the College’s service district.
HEERF Funding Disclosure as of 8/28/2020
- EGCC has received a total of $464,233 for Emergency Financial Aid Grants
- Entering the Fall 2020 Semester, EGCC estimates that 27,567 students are or could be eligible to participate in the Federal Student Financial Aid Programs under Section 484 of the Higher Education of 1965, as amended, and thus may be eligible to receive Emergency Financial Aid grants to students under Section 18004(a)(1) of the CARES Act.
- Thus far, EGCC has distributed a total of $438,000 to 584 students
- EGCC estimates that 35 additional students will be eligible for the Emergency Financial Aid Grant Funds, based on student eligibility under Section 484 in Title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965 and fully online fund awarding prohibitions.
This page initially published on 5/21/2020. Updated on 6/19/2020, 6/25/2020, 7/2/2020, 8/8/2020, 8/28/2020
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How do I know if I will receive a CARES Act HEERF grant?
A: To determine eligibility, EGCC is following both the recommendations and the awarding protocol established by the US Department of Education.
Eligible students will meet the following criteria:
- Must reside in EGCC’s Ohio service district (Columbiana, Jefferson, Mahoning, or Trumbull counties).
- Must have completed a 2019-2020 FAFSA, submitted all supplemental documentation as required by ED, and be eligible to receive Title IV Federal Aid.
- Demonstrate financial need as determined by the 2019-2020 FAFSA application.
- Meet all enrollment requirements and attend at least one course during the Summer semester, beginning June 1, 2020.
Q: Will all qualifying students receive a CARES Act HEERF grant?
No. CARES Act HEERF grant funding issued to EGCC is limited and will be issued first to those with significant need as determined by the 2019-2020 FAFSA. Funds will be distributed directly to qualifying students attending courses in the Summer semester, beginning with continuing, returning, and then new students, until our HEERF funding is exhausted.
Q: If I qualify, how much will I receive?
A: Qualifying students will receive a one-time grant of $750
Q: When will I know if I will receive a grant?
A: As of 6/25/2020, we are actively reviewing all students for eligibility. This will take several days, and we expect funds to be issued on 7/1/2020. Qualifying students will be notified via their Student Email early next week.
Q: If I qualify, how will I receive my funding?
A: Your CARES Act HEERF grant funding will be sent in the form of a check, via US Mail. Please ensure that your address is up to date.
Q: Do I need to repay this HEERF grant?
A: No. Aid that you receive through this fund does not need to be repaid. This fund does not impact nor replace any financial aid you may currently receive, and it is a one-time grant.
Q: What if I qualify for the grant and currently owe tuition or other expenses to EGCC?
A: The full amount of the CARES Act HEERF Grant will be issued to eligible students. The US Department of Education does not permit HEERF Grant funding to be used by EGCC to cover current or prior balances. Any outstanding balance owed to EGCC remains the responsibility of the student.
Q: If I receive a CARES Act HEERF grant, is it taxable?
A: No. Per the US Internal Revenue Service code, HEERF Grants issued under the CARES Act are qualified disaster relief payments and will not be taxable.
Q: I am a student living outside of EGCC’s local service district. Why am I ineligible for the CARES Act HEERF grant?
A: EGCC is following both the recommendations and the awarding protocol established by the US Department of Education, including student eligibility under Section 484 in Title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965. We understand that students residing outside of our local service district may be in need of supplemental funding during this difficult time. If current guidance changes, or if new regulations are passed, we will adapt accordingly and as soon as possible to issue funds to students in need, and who are currently ineligible for the HEERF grant.
If information (such as, household income data) that you have reported on your FAFSA has changed, we encourage you to contact our Financial Aid Office at [email protected] or (888) 590-9009 option #2. We may be able to assist with updating your data to reflect your current and/or future circumstances, and therefore explore potential eligibility for existing financial aid opportunities.
Q: Who can I contact if I have other questions about the CARES Act Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund?
A: Students may email questions to [email protected] or call our Financial Aid Help Desk at (888) 590-9009 option #2.