CARES Act Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund (HEERF) Reporting-Emergency Financial Aid Grants to students.

The following information is provided to comply with the Department of Education’s CARES Act Reporting requirements. 

An acknowledgement that the institution signed and returned to the Department the Certification and Agreement and the assurance that the institution has used, or intends to 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.

Moraine Valley Community College (MVCC) signed and submitted the Funding Certification and Agreement with the U.S. Department of Education on April 14, 2020.  MVCC agrees to use no less than 50 percent of these funds to provide emergency financial aid grants to students.

The total amount of funds that the institution will receive or has received from the Department pursuant to the institution’s Certification and Agreement [for] Emergency Financial Aid Grants to Student.

$3,232,772

The total amount of Emergency Financial Aid Grants distributed to students under Section 18004(a)(1) of the CARES Act as of the date of submission (i.e., as of the 30-day Report and every 45 days thereafter).

As of June 30, 2020, the end of the 2nd Quarter, the total amount of Emergency Financial Aid Grants distributed to students under Section 18004(a)(1) of the CARES Act is $1,638,000.00

The estimated total number of students at the institution eligible to participate in programs under Section 484 in Title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965 and thus eligible to receive Emergency Financial Aid Grants to students under Section 18004(a)(1) of the CARES Act.

3,471

The total number of students who have received an Emergency Financial Aid Grant to students under Section 18004(a)(1) of the CARES Act.

At the end of the 2nd Quarter, 1,874 students have received Emergency Financial Aid Grant under Section 18004(a)(1) of the CARES Act totaling $1,638,000.00.

The method(s) used by the institution to determine which students receive Emergency Financial Aid Grants and how much they would receive under Section 18004(a)(1) of the CARES Act.

On May 18, 2020, a mass mail was sent to all spring 2020 students. Students were directed to the college’s primary website that provides information and a link to an application form for students. Students must complete the application to document their COVID-19 related expenses. The Financial Aid Office reviews and approves applications. Students who applied and did not meet eligibility guidelines provided by the U.S. Department of Education were provided information on other resources including scholarship information through the Moraine Valley Community College Foundations and services offered through the Counseling Department. Full-time students are eligible to receive $1,000.00 and Part-time students are eligible to receive $600.00.

The college has made the determination to not award any funds in the summer as the CARES Act team continues to follow up on eligible spring students in the summer semester. Processes are still being finalized on how to use the remaining funds for fall 2020 students.

Any instructions, directions, or guidance provided by the institution to students concerning the Emergency Financial Aid Grants. This is the announcement that will be sent to students on May 18, 2020. Insert email/communication to students per sample below:

May 18, 2020

Dear Students,

We are pleased to announce a $3.2 million emergency grant program.

As part of a federal stimulus package, Moraine Valley Community College was allocated $3.2 million to assist students with emergency financial aid grants. The funding, which is part of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act, now has been received by the college.
Degree-seeking students enrolled in the Spring Semester 2020 will be eligible for funds between $600 and $1,000, based upon enrollment status, and if you have:

  • A verified FAFSA on file for either the 2019-20 or2020-21 academic years
  • Enrolled in a campus-based degree or certificate program;
  • Have been enrolled in the spring 2020 semester as of March 23, 2020, or later; and Good academic standing according to the Federal Financial Aid Standards of Academic Progress policies

You may use the grants used to cover your expenses related to the closure of MVCC or due to transitioning to online coursework.  These might include food, housing, course materials, technology, health care, and child-care.  Because funding is limited, awards will be made on a first-come, first-served basis.

You must complete an application to receive a grant, and you must certify that you have incurred eligible expenses related to the closure of MVCC campuses or the transition to online coursework.

If you are eligible for the Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund Grant, you must complete and submit the application at Emergency Financial Aid Grants to Students under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act.

You should have received an email notification informing you that the application and requirements are posted. Please complete the application immediately as applications will only be accepted through June 30, 2020.

You may receive grant funds via direct deposit. This is the quickest option to receive your funds.  You can enroll at https://mvconnect.morainevalley.edu/student/Pages/WebAdvisor.aspx?title=Bank+Information+(U.S.)&pid=ST-WBCOS015A.  If you are not enrolled for direct deposit, you will be mailed a paper check to the address on your student account, which may significantly delay delivery of your funds

If you do not meet the criteria outlined by the federal government to receive CARES Act funds the following resources are available:

The Moraine Valley Community College Foundation has extended its scholarship application deadline to June 30. These scholarships, which are privately funded, are available for the fall 2020 and spring 2021 semesters and range from $500 to $5,000. Students can apply here online.

The college’s Counseling and Career Development Center has also prepared the following webpage with additional campus supports and community referrals: https://www.morainevalley.edu/student-success/counseling/project-care/. Please note that some supports are limited to currently enrolled students.

We have developed an FAQ on this funding through the HEERF Grant at https://www.morainevalley.edu/right-to-know/higher-education-emergency-relief-fund/relief-fund-faqs/

If you have any questions about this program, please contact us at CaresAct@morainevalley.edu.

Sincerely,

Dr. Normah Salleh-Barone
Vice President, Student Development

 

On June 10, 2020, the CARES Act team followed up on 1,159 students via letter, email, text message, and phone blast on their CARES-Act Grant potential eligibility.  Please see below samples of phone and text messages.

Phone Blast Message:

Hello! This is the Financial Aid office at Moraine Valley Community College. Our records indicate you may be eligible for Higher Education Emergency Relief Funds.

Get more details on the college’s website at morainevalley.edu. To apply for the funds, complete the application located under forms on MVConnect. For questions, email caresact@morainevalley.edu.

Text message:

MVCC Financial Aid: You may be eligible for Higher Education Emergency Relief Funds. For more information or to apply, go to morainevalley.edu or MVConnect.

On June 26, Financial Aid expeditors called 987 students and the CARES Act team sent letters to follow up on students who still have not completed the application forms.

The CARES Act team also followed up on 259 students via email, text, and letters that answered NO to all the questions on expenses incurred on the CARES-Act application.  The team sent these students the Declaration of Expenses Form for them to complete.  See below sample of the form.

Emergency Financial Aid Grants to Students under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act

Declaration of Expenses

  Student ID#:
Last Name: First Name:

We are not able to process your previous application as you have not documented your expenses incurred.

The CARES Act expressly requires institutions provide the emergency financial aid grants to students for expenses related to the disruption of campus operations due to coronavirus.

Examples of Expenses Covered by Coronavirus/COVID-19 Emergency funding:

  • Emergency medical and dental expenses
  • Technology/equipment needed to ensure continuity of online learning
  • Homelessness or potential loss of housing
  • Overdue utility bills reaching a turn-off notice
  • Loss of childcare
  • Health insurance
  • Other financial needs arising from individual and/or special circumstances to be determined on a case-by-case basis

NOTE: Loss of job is not an expense

Please complete this form and submit it to Veronica Wade, wadev3@morainevalley.edu.

 
 

Which additional/unplanned costs have you incurred due to MVCC’s transition to an online only format? *Please check all that apply

  • Additional utility costs
  • Moving costs
  • Rental costs for space no longer living in
  • Childcare costs
  • Health care costs (i.e. medical, dental, or health insurance)

Which technology-related costs have you incurred due to Moraine Valley Community College's move to an all online delivery method? *Please check all that apply.

  • Incurred internet installation/upgrade/data overage charges
  • Borrowed or used friend/family member device or service to enable online learning
  • Bought a new device to facilitate taking online classes
 
  Text Box: Please provide any additional problems COVID 19 has created for your household that the above questions did not address. You may also elaborate on any of your previous answers:
     
SIGNATURE (TYPE FULL NAME)   DATE

The Financial Aid expediters also followed up on the students with personal phone calls.