(CRRSA/HEERF II & ARP/HEERF III)
Emergency Financial Aid Grants to Students – Winter 2022*

Published March 10, 2022

*This application opened 03/10/2022 and closed 03/18/2022.
Funds are limited for this period: first come, first served.

As an expansion of the CARES Act, the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act (CRRSAA), 2021, was signed into law on December 27, 2020. On January 14 2021, the U.S Department of Education (DOE) announced additional funds available to higher education institutions to serve students and ensure learning continues during the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. Funding is allocated by the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriation Act (CRRSAA)-HEERF II.

On March 11, 2021, the American Rescue Plan (ARP)-HEERF III Act of 2021, which provides additional relief to address the continued impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, was enacted and signed into law. The ARPA appropriated approximately $39.6 billion for the Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund (HEERF) and represents the third stream of funding appropriated for HEERF to prevent, prepare for, and respond to coronavirus.

Taken together, the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act) (Pub. L. 116–136), the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2021 (CRRSAA) (Pub. L. 116-260), and the ARP represent HEERF I, HEERF II, and HEERF III, respectively.

Under section 314(c)(3) of the CRRSAA and section 2003 of the ARP, the Higher Education Emergency Relief Funding II and III (HEERF II and HEERF III) are intended to go students (including students exclusively enrolled in distance education), which may be used for any components of the student’s cost of attendance (such as tuition & fees, books, supplies, room and board, dependent care, loan fees, transportation and miscellaneous) or for emergency costs that arise due to coronavirus, such as tuition, food, housing, health care (including mental health care) or child care.

The American Rescue Plan (ARP) included additional COVID-19 relief for institutions of higher education. This new COVID stimulus bill included $39.6 billion, available through September 30, 2023, for higher education institutions and students, using the same Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund (HEERF) model established in the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act.

As a proprietary institution, Angeles College was approved for awards under section 314(a) (4) of the CRRSAA on February 17, 2021 and under section 2003 of the ARP – ARP (a) (4) on August 5, 2021, and after reviewing guidance from the Department of Education released between Jan 14, 2021 and May 24, 2021, Angeles College determined the following:

CRRSAA/HEERF II and ARP/HEERF III emergency financial aid awards are prioritized for students with exceptional financial need to cover costs, such as tuition, 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.

Eligible Students

  • Undergraduate or graduate degree or non-degree (certificate) seeking students who are enrolled in in the Winter Quarter 2022 (for degree programs) or in the current term (for certificate programs).
  • Students who were enrolled exclusively in online programs.
  • Must be current students who are participating in courses actively and who are in good standing. Be enrolled with our college when an application is submitted.
  • Included are students who were on an approved Leave of Absence.

The methods used by Angeles College to determine which and how much students receive in emergency fund grants are as follows:

The methods used by Angeles College to determine which and how much students receive in emergency fund grants are as follows: 

Unlike with CARES/HEERF I distribution, CRRSAA/HEERF II and ARP/HEERF III guidance requires institutions to prioritize students with exceptional need. Because CRRSAA/HEERF II and ARP/HEERF III prioritizes domestic students with “exceptional need”, eligible students were identified by reviewing students’ Expected Family Contribution (EFC as determined on your official FAFSA). CRRSAA/HEERF II and ARP/HEERF III emergency grant amounts were determined by the student’s EFC according to the table below. Students who are unable to submit the FAFSA or California Dream Act Application (CADAA) who meets eligibility criteria are awarded $100 regardless their enrollment status (FT, TT, HT, or LL). Students with undetermined EFC or unable to submit either applications are also awarded $100.

Awards range from a maximum of $700 to the minimum of $100 and were given to students after Angeles College – CRRSA Act emergency grant committee’s review and approval of the submitted application.

Important Note: The Department of Education encourages institutions to prioritize domestic students, especially undergraduates, in allocating this funding. Domestic students include citizens, permanent residents, refugees, asylum seekers, DACA recipients, other DREAMers, and similar undocumented students. If the limited funds are remaining (unable to award all eligible applicants), domestic students will take priority.

 

Eligible 2021-2022 EFC

Undergraduate Award (FT, TT, HT) HEERF Amount

Undergraduate Award (LT) HEERF Amount

Graduate Award

(FT, TT, HT) HEERF Amount

Graduate Award

(LT) HEERF Amount

EFC 0

$700

$400

$400

$200

EFC 0 to 2500

$500

$300

$300

$100

EFC 2501 to 5000

$400

$200

$200

$100

EFC 5001 to 7500

$300

$100

$100

$100

EFC 7501 to 10,000

$200

$100

$100

$100

EFC 10,001 to up

$100

$100

$100

$100

All other group (Undetermined EFC or Unable to submit FAFSA or CADAA)

$100

$100

$100

$100

FT = Full Time
TT = Three Quarter Time
HT = Half Time
LT = Less than Half Time

Instructions and guidance were provided to eligible students identified by the Registrar’s Office (via Angeles College email account and/or personal email address on file), along with the subsequent application via student’s email. The application certifies that eligible students had incurred expenses from the components listed above because of the Coronavirus pandemic.

In accordance with the Department of Education guidelines, upon successful submittal of the application, Angeles College notified students of their status via their Angeles College email account and/or personal email address as identified on their application. Funds were processed through accounts payable and students received a paper check (which was mailed to the address provided on the application). These Emergency Financial Aid Grants were not applied against existing account balances.

FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)

What is the difference between CARES, CRRSAA, ARP and HEERF?

There is not major difference between these terms. The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act was passed by Congress and signed into law in March 2020. It provided federal funding to support people affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. That funding was largely exhausted by the end of 2020. In December 2020, the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act (CRRSAA) – HEERF II was passed by Congress and signed into law to extend that support. On March 11, 2021, the American Rescue Plan (ARP)-HEERF III Act of 2021, which provides additional relief to address the continued impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, was enacted and signed into law.

However, there are other differences as well. Unlike the CARES Act, the CRRSAA/HEERF II and ARP/HEERF III requires that institutions prioritize students with “exceptional need,” such as students who receive Pell Grants, however not limited to Pell grant recipients in awarding financial aid grants to students.

ARP/HEERF III funds are in addition to funds authorized by the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2021 (CRRSAA)/HEERF II, Public Law 116-260 and the Coronavirus Aid, Recovery, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, Public Law 116-136. Emergency funds available to institutions and their students under all emergency funds total $76.2 billion.

CARES, CRRSAA, and ARP provided federal funds specifically designed for higher education, disbursed through the Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund (HEERF).

Students can use CRRSAA/HEERF II and ARP/HEERF III funding for: 

Housing/utilities
Food
Technology
Books/Supplies
Childcare
Transportation
Health Care (including mental health care)
Other educational costs

Will the fund be available for future term(s)?

We currently do not anticipate funding to be available for the Spring 2022.

 How do students apply for CRRSAA/HEERF II and ARP/HEERF III funding?

  • Submit a 2021-2022 FAFSA or CADAA and have a valid EFC by the deadline (03/18/22) if eligible;
  • Submit an emergency grant application (Emergency Financial Aid Grants to Students under the CRRSAA/HEERF II and APR/HEERF III);
  • Be enrolled with our college when an application is submitted.

Per CRRSAA/HEERF II and ARP/HEERF III guidance, Angeles College will prioritize students with “exceptional need.” Only those students with an eligible EFC (EFC = expected family contribution as determined on your official FAFSA) can be assessed for “exceptional need”.

What is the awarding process and how will I receive my funds?

Once an application is submitted, a committee will review your request and may reach out to you if additional information is needed. This process may take 1-3 weeks. If your request is approved, you will receive a notification email informing you that Angeles College has approved your application in 1 – 3 weeks and the Business Office will process the fund through accounts payable and you will receive a paper check. You will have two options below regarding how you would like to receive your check:

  • Pick up the check in person at the Business Office, Mon-Fri: 9am to 6pm,
  • Have the check mailed out to your mailing address provided in the application.

If you wish to pick up the check, you must contact Julia Chu, CFO via email, jchu@angelescollege.edu or Aide Jimenez, Assistant Business Officer via email ajimenez@angelescollege.edu. It may take 1 -3 week(s) to receive a payment (check) after receiving approval notice from the Financial Aid Office.

How did Angeles College determine eligible students and the amount of the CRRSAA/HEERF II and ARP/HEERF III grants per student?

Because CRRSAA/HEERF II and APR/HEERF III prioritize students with “exceptional need”, eligible students were identified by reviewing students’ Expected Family Contributions (EFC as determined on your official FAFSA). Awards range from a maximum of $700 to the minimum of $100 and were given to students after Angeles College – HEERF emergency grant committee’s review and approval of the submitted application. Students fall under all other category meets eligibility are awarded $100.

Can you explain the Federal Expected Family Contribution (EFC) and where I can find this number?

The school received your federally calculated Expected Family Contribution (EFC) from your completed 2021-22 FAFSA or CADAA. Your EFC is an index number used to determine your eligibility for federal student financial aid. This number results from the combined financial information you provide alongside other taxed and untaxed income, assets, and benefits (such as unemployment or Social Security). Also considered are your family size and the number of family members who will attend college, or career school, during the year. You can view the EFC on your Student Aid Report (SAR). To view your SAR please log-in to Studentaid.gov and select, View your Student Aid Report. For your CA Dram Act application, please visit: https://dream.csac.ca.gov/landing

Is the CRRSAA/HEERF II and ARP/HEERF III emergency grant taxable?

No. the IRS has determined that HEERF emergency grants are not taxable and are not reported on the US tax return. In addition, HEERF emergency grants will not be counted toward your Estimated Financial Aid, nor do you have to count the money as taxable on your tax return.

I am an online student. Am I eligible to receive CRRSAA/HEERF II and ARP/HEERF III funds?

Yes, if you are identified as an enrolled, degree or non-degree seeking student for winter 2022 term, and have financial need, you will be eligible to receive CRRSAA/HEERF II and ARP/HEERF III funds.

I have a balance due on my student account and if I am awarded this grant, is the balance will be deducted from this grant automatically?

 No. The entire amount of this grant will be disbursed directly to you through your student tuition account as a “pass through” transaction. In other words, your grant will be refunded to you, even if you have a balance. Please check with Julia Chu, CFO via email, jchu@angelescollege.edu or Aide Jimenez, Assistant Business Officer via email ajimenez@angelescollege.edu.for up-to date balance information.

 Why was my application denied this time, when I’ve received funding in the past or a classmate had their application accepted?

There are a few reasons why this might occur. These include:

  • Changes in eligibility rules: May not be eligible if you don’t meet current eligibility criteria.
  • No funds available: Only a certain amount of funding is released each term. Students’ applications are reviewed and awarded on a first come, first serve basis as funding is limited for the current term. Funds for certain terms may have ran out for the specific term.

Who can answer questions about CRRSAA/HEERF II and ARP/HEERF III funding?