HEERF (Higher Education Emergency Relief Funds) Student Emergency Fund
The Spring 2022 semester was the final semester in which HEERF Student Emergency Funds were awarded. HEERF student emergency funds have been fully allocated.
Through the CARES (Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security) Act, CRRSSA (the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act) and the American Rescue Plan Act, Tri-C was awarded Higher Education Emergency Relief funds by the U.S. Department of Education to make emergency financial aid awards to assist students impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic to continue their education.
Cuyahoga Community College Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund (HEERF) student emergency financial aid awards were prioritized for Tri-C students with exceptional financial need to cover costs, such as tuition and fees, food assistance, housing assistance, health care (including mental health care) emergencies, childcare emergencies and other educational related expenses as a result of the coronavirus pandemic. Awarding of these funds began in April of 2020 and continued through the Spring 2022 semester.
Student who experienced a change in their financial situation due to a change of income or loss of employment during the COVID-19 pandemic, were notified to contact the Student Financial Aid and Scholarships team for help to update their FAFSA and determine their financial aid eligibility through a process called Professional Judgments process for change in circumstances.
HEERF Act Declaration Reporting
The federal government has awarded an additional $23 million to Tri-C, of which at least $5 million will be allocated to students in emergency financial aid grants, in addition to any remaining CARES -HEERF I student emergency funds still to be allocated. Funds will provide emergency financial aid support for students experiencing exceptional financial need and/or emergency expenses as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The 30 day fund report (initial report) and the quarterly (45 day) fund reporting provides the required updates of the numbers of Tri-C students receiving funds through the HEERF program, and the total amount awarded.