Update on CARES Act Student Emergency Grant Funds

  • Amount Issued: $729,927.00
  • Total Number of Students: 1,015
  • Amount Per Student: $719.14
  • Date Issued refund: May 13, 2020
    2nd Student Portion
  • Amount Issued: $732,080.32
  • Total Number of Students: 808
  • Amount Per Student: $906.04
  • Date Refund Issued: March 12, 2021

    3rd Student Portion

    DECEMBER 2021
    ARPA: HEERF III – Emergency Financial Aid Grants to Students

    The College distributed $1,450,170 of the grant award to students.  This equals roughly 50% of the entire student grant award. As of December 21, 2021, the College has awarded and disbursed in emergency financial aid grants to 3,004 students. The following criteria were used by the institution to determine which students receive Emergency Financial Aid Grants and how much they would receive under ARPA. All students with active enrollment in the fall 2021 semester, who demonstrated exceptional need are eligible for the funds. Prisoners, High School/Dual Enrollment, Adult Basic Education, Non-Credit, Nondegree Seeking, Visiting, and Cross-Enrolled Students (the “Home Institution” is a non-LCTCS college) are not eligible for HEERF III funds.  A sliding scale was used to determine award amounts.  The scale considered a student’s EFC score and credit hours. The lowest award was $800 and the largest award was $1,320. Instructions on how to access the funds via BankMobile are sent to students who do not have a delivery preference set up. BankMobile sends out an automatically generated email informing students that their funds are available. 

  • Updated Quarterly Report --September 2020
  • Updated Quarterly Report --December 2020
  • Updated Quarterly Report-- March 2021
  • Updated Quarterly Report-- September 2021
  • Updated Quarterly Report-- December 2021
  • Updated Quarterly Report-- March 2022
  • Updated Quarterly Report-- June 2022
  • Updated Quarterly Report-- September 2022
  • Updated Quarterly Report-- December 2022
  • Updated Quarterly Report--  June 2023
  • Updated Quartely Report-- June 2023 (Revised)
  • Updated Quarterly Report -- September 2023
  • Updated Quarterly Report -- December 2023

MESSAGE TO STUDENTS
ABOUT CARES ACT 

CARES Act Student Emergency Grant Student Eligibility and Frequently Asked Questions 
 

Dear CLTCC Students, 

As a result of the Coronavirus or COVID-19 pandemic, the United States Congress approved the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (“CARES Act”). The CARES Act was signed into law by President Trump on March 27, 2020. In efforts to stimulate the economy and to assist college students during this time, emergency financial aid grants have been allocated for students who meet strict eligibility guidelines as established by the United States Department of Education (USDOE).  Currently, Central Louisiana Technical Community College is working to identify students who meet the eligibility requirements for the grant. 

After reviewing the United States Department of Education’s (USDOE) guidelines, CLTCC has determined that the following students will be eligible to receive CARES Act Student Emergency Grants: 

  • Students with active enrollment in a Title IV eligible program between March 1-31, 2020, 
  • Students who filed a FAFSA no later than March 13, 2020, and 
  • Students who were eligible to receive Title IV funds within the spring 2020 semester 
  • Students in the following categories are NOT eligible to receive the emergency funds: 
  • Students who are incarcerated, 
  • Students who are cross-enrolled and whose “home institution” is a non-LCTCS college, and 
  • Students who were enrolled only in online courses prior to March 1, 2020. 

If you meet the eligibility requirements and were enrolled in two (2) or more LCTCS colleges during March 2020, the college with the most academic history (i.e., the college where you have earned the most credits) will award the funds. Students who fall into this category will receive one (1) payment. 

CLTCC is currently finalizing the list of students that meet all eligibility requirements as outlined above. We want to carefully review all students to make sure that everyone that is eligible receives the funds. We appreciate your patience. 

Currently, there is nothing for you to do. If you are eligible to receive funds, we will communicate directly with you through email. If you do not receive a follow-up email, it means you did not meet the USDOE’s eligibility requirements. 

We have developed the attached Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ’s) document to assist you in understanding the reasoning behind these eligibility requirements and how the funds will be distributed. 

Please be sure to check your email daily for further communications regarding your eligibility for the CARES Act emergency financial aid grant. 

Please stay safe, and we look forward to continuing to be your higher education institution of choice. 

Sincerely, 
James R. ‘Jimmy’ Sawtelle III 
Chancellor 

 

Higher Education Emergency Relief Funds FAQ’s  
 

1. What is the Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund (HEERF)?
The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (“Cares Act”) was signed into law by President Trump on March 27, 2020. The Act provides funds to colleges to give to eligible students to assist with costs related to the disruption of campus operations due to coronavirus.  

2. Who is eligible to receive these funds? 
Students with active enrollment in a Title IV eligible program between March 1-31, 2020, who filed a FAFSA no later than March 13, 2020, and who were eligible to receive Title IV funds within the spring semester, excluding incarcerated individuals; cross-enrolled students whose “home institution” is a non-LCTCS college; and students enrolled only in online courses during March 1-31, 2020.  

3. What does it mean to be “eligible to receive Title IV funds?” 
The United States Department of Education’s guidelines state that students must meet requirements as outlined in Section 484 of the Higher Education Act. So, to receive these grant funds students must: 

  • Be enrolled or accepted for enrollment in a degree or certificate program  
  • Not be enrolled in elementary or secondary school 
  • For currently enrolled students, be making satisfactory academic progress 
  • Not owe an overpayment on Title IV grants or loans 
  • Not be in default on a Title IV loan 
  • File "as part of the original financial aid application process" a certification that includes  
    • A statement of educational purpose 
    • Student's SSN 
  • Be a U.S. citizen or national, permanent resident, or other eligible noncitizen 
  • Have returned fraudulently obtained Title IV funds if convicted of or pled guilty or no contest to charges 
  • Not have fraudulently received Title IV loans in excess of annual or aggregate limits 
  • Have repaid Title IV loan amounts in excess of annual or aggregate limits if obtained inadvertently 
  • Have Selective Service registration verified 
  • Have Social Security Number verified 
  • Not have a federal or state conviction for drug possession or sale while receiving Title IV aid, with certain time limitation 

4. How much will I receive? 
Each eligible student will receive the same amount. We are currently determining what that amount will be.  

5. I know someone that goes to another college who received a different amount. Why is that? 
Every college received a different amount of funds from the United States Department of Education. Because each college had a different amount of money and a different number of eligible students, grant amounts will vary by college.  

6. How will I receive my funds?  
Students will receive their grants through their Bank Mobile account.  

7. When will I receive my funds?  
At this time, we anticipate sending grants out by May 15, 2020.  

8. Do these funds have to be repaid? 
No. These are emergency grant funds and do not have to be repaid. 

9. What am I supposed to use the funds for? 
There are no specific restrictions on how you should use your funds. However, students are encouraged to use the funds to help them to continue attending college. That might mean buying a computer or internet service so you can attend online classes, for example.  

10. I was enrolled in courses that ended before March 1st or started after March 31st. Am I eligible? 
No, only students who were enrolled in courses between March 1-31, 2020 are eligible because that is the time period in which campus disruptions occurred.  

11. I submitted my FAFSA after March 13th, am I eligible? 
No, only students who had demonstrated Title IV eligibility by submitting a FAFSA by the day a national emergency was declared (March 13, 2020) are eligible.  

12. Why are students who were enrolled only in online courses excluded? 
According to the United States Department of Education, the funds are for expenses related to the disruption of campus operations due to coronavirus, and students who were enrolled exclusively online would not have expenses related to the disruption of campus operations.  

13. Does the number of hours I was enrolled in during the spring semester affect my eligibility?  
No. The number of classes or credit hours a student was enrolled in for the spring semester does not in any way affect whether they are eligible for the funds or not.  

14. I have more questions. Who can I contact?  
Please call (1-800-278-9855) or Email ([email protected])