Relief Fund Report – May 14, 2020

An acknowledgment 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).

N/A – A mass email communication will be sent to students on May 18, 2020, and applications will be made available to students on May 18, 2020

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.

N/A

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 will be sent to all spring 2020 students.  Students will be 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 are being provided information on other resources including scholarship information through the Moraine Valley Community College Foundations services offered through the Counseling Department. Processes are still being finalized on how to use the remaining funds for summer 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