American Rescue Plan (HEERF III) Emergency Relief Funds
In March 2021, the federal government provided a third round of emergency relief funds to colleges under the American Rescue Plan (ARP) to support students and institutions with expenses and financial needs related to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. More information on these HEERF III funds, part of the Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund, is available on the U.S. Department of Education’s website. Monroe Community College completed a Certification and Agreement for these funds and received $17,596,984 to distribute to eligible students in the form of emergency financial aid grants. We acknowledge that by drawing down the ARP Student Aid Funds, our institution agrees to be bound by the conditions set forth in the ARP Student Aid Supplemental Agreement including using 100 percent of these Student Aid Funds to provide emergency aid grants to students.
HEERF III Student Emergency Financial Aid Grants
ARP and the State University of New York (SUNY) require that institutions disbursing student HEERF III emergency financial aid grants prioritize students with demonstrated exceptional need. Consistent with requirements set by SUNY, the College began awarding emergency financial aid grants to students in November 2021 based on EFC ranges from FAFSA Results for the 2021-2022 year.
Eligible students based on prioritized need enrolled at the College during the Fall 2021 semester were notified via email in November 2021 of their award, which was based on students’ full-time or part-time enrollment status and demonstrated financial need, using EFC. No application was required in order for these students to receive funds.
Students not automatically eligible for funds were informed via email they could complete an application for funding if they had demonstrated expenses. Additional awards will be made during the Spring 2022 semester to eligible students
Quarterly Reports
Monroe Community College has $17,596,984 available to be distributed to students under HEERF III. The total number of students who could have qualified during this period is 8,012 students.
- For the period of April 1, 2021 through June 30, 2021, $0 was distributed to students.
- For the period of July 1, 2021 through September 30, 2021 $0 was distributed to students.
- For the period of October 1, 2021 through December 31, 2021 $8,914,632 was awarded to 5,255 students.
- For the period of January 1, 2022 through March 31, 2022 $8,637,965 was awarded to 4,651 students.
| Higher Education Emergency Relief Funds | Total Funds Available | Total Funds Distributed | Number of Awards | Remaining Funds |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| HEERF I (CARES Act) | $4,583,481 | $4,583,481 | 4,874 | $0 |
| HEERF II (CRRSSA) | $4,583,481 | $4,511,040 | 4,161 | $72,441 |
| HEERF III (ARP) | $17,596,984 | $17,552,597 | 9,906 | $44,387 |
| Total | $26,763,946 | $26,647,118 | 18,941 | $116,828 |
Communication via email to students receiving awards indicated that the grants were for expenses related to any component of the student’s cost of attendance or for emergency costs that arise due to coronavirus. Eligible expenses include tuition, food, housing, health care (including mental health care), and childcare. Information on what is included in a student’s cost of attendance is available on the College’s financial aid webpage. The notification further stated that these grants were not loans and would not need to be paid back; are not considered income: nor will the grants affect students’ financial aid award amounts for the 2021-2022 academic year.