Federal CARES Relief Act Information

January 10, 2021

Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act Reporting

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CARES Act Reporting: Quarterly Reporting

October 29, 2020

Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act Reporting

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CARES Act Reporting: Quarterly Reporting

October 9, 2020

Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act Reporting

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CARES Act Reporting: 3rd Quarter Notice

July 30, 2020

Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act Reporting

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CARES Act Reporting: 45-Day Update

June 17, 2020

HEERF Grant Extension

The application window for MCC’s first round of HEERF Grant distributions which was scheduled to end on June 15, 2020 has been extended until June 30, 2020. This will allow students who have not yet applied, additional time to submit their Certification. As before, MCC will distribute grant money in several rounds on a first-come first server basis until funding is exhausted. Students should check for an email from MCC detailing the process for certification.

June 16, 2020

Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act Reporting

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CARES Act Reporting: 30-Day Update

May 26, 2020

Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act and the Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund (HEERF) Information.

Read the following information closely about the available funds and eligibility requirements to apply.

What is the Federal CARES Act?

The CARES Act is federal legislation that provides a variety of financial support to individuals and businesses affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.

The CARES Act established and funded the Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund (HEERF) to provide emergency financial aid grants to students who have incurred expenses due to the disruption of campus operations caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Eligible expenses include food, housing, utilities, course materials, technology, health care, and/or child care. Per the federal guidelines provided by the US Department of Education, tuition is not considered an eligible expense.

What are the eligibility criteria to qualify for federal CARES Act funding?

Based on guidance provided by the US Department of Education, students must be eligible to participate in programs under Section 484 in Title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965, as amended (HEA). To meet the eligibility parameters to qualify for federal CARES Act funds, students must:

be enrolled or in a degree, certificate, or other recognized educational credential program;
not be enrolled in elementary or secondary school;
have a high school diploma or its recognized equivalent;
maintain satisfactory academic progress (SAP);
not owe an overpayment (refund) on Title IV grants;
not be in default on a Title IV loan;
be a U.S citizen or national, a permanent resident, or an eligible non-citizen;
have returned any fraudulently obtained Title IV funds, if convicted of, or pled guilty/no contest to charges;
not have fraudulently received Title IV loans in excess of annual or aggregate limits;
have repaid any Title IV loan overpayment amounts in excess of annual or aggregate limits, if obtained inadvertently;
if you are male, have registered for Selective Service; and
not have a federal or state conviction for drug possession or sale, with certain time limitations.
In addition to the requirements above, students must have incurred expenses related to the disruption of MCC’s campus operations due to coronavirus.

What groups of students are not eligible for federal CARES funding?

Unfortunately, the guidance released by the US Department of Education specifically disallows these funds to be awarded to students who were 100% on-line on or prior to March 13, 2020, students ineligible for federal aid, international students, undocumented students, or DACA students.

If this guidance changes in the future, eligibility may be expanded and more students will qualify to receive funding, as available.

I meet the eligibility requirements, but I am currently on an approved Leave of Absence (LOA) due to my clinical externship disrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Am I eligible to receive the grant?

Yes, if you otherwise meet all the eligibility requirements, you are eligible to receive the grant funding.

I meet the eligibility requirements, but I am a cash-paying student. Am I eligible for the grant?

You are eligible if you are eligible for Title IV Financial Aid. To find out if you are eligible, you may need to fill out a FAFSA for our Financial Aid Department if you have not done so previously. Please email care@mccollege.edu from your MCC student email account to determine next steps.

I meet the eligibility requirements, but I pay for my program with VA funds. Am I eligible for the grant?

Do I have to repay the emergency financial aid grant I received through the CARES Act?

No. The funds provided by the CARES Act are grants, so they do not need to be repaid.

Does this money count against my financial aid package?

No. Money from the CARES Act is not considered financial assistance under federal statute, nor Department of Education regulations. As such, these funds will not impact your eligibility for regular financial aid (e.g., grants, scholarships, loans).

What can emergency financial aid grants provided by the CARES Act be used for?

Emergency financial aid grants to students can be used for expenses related to the disruption of campus operations due to coronavirus (including eligible expenses under a student’s cost of attendance, such as food, housing, course materials, technology, health care, and child care).

How do I apply for the grant?

Information about applying for these funds will be emailed to eligible students to their MCC email account. Students will receive a link to the CARES HEERF (Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund) Student Eligibility Certification Form. On that form we will ask you to certify that you had incurred eligible expenses related to the disruption of Midwestern Career College’s (MCC) campus operations due to the COVID-19 pandemic, provide your correct US mailing address, and attest to your agreement to use the funds for eligible expenses as defined in the CARES Act.

I believe that I am eligible, but I did not receive email with the application form.

Please email care@mccollege.edu from your MCC student email account and provide information supporting your eligibility.

What is the deadline to apply?

MCC will distribute grant money in several rounds on a first-come first-served basis until the funding is exhausted.

This is the first round of HEERF grant distributions. Deadline for the application for the first round is June 15, 2020. If additional funding becomes available, students will receive additional instructions as well as a new certification application to complete. Do not submit multiple applications. Multiple submissions will slow down the review and approval process.

Will all students who apply receive funding?

Applications will be processed on a first-come first-served basis until funding is exhausted. If you have not incurred an expense related to the disruption of campus operations due to coronavirus, you are not eligible for funding.

How will I find out if I am approved for funds?

Students will receive an email to their MCC email account once their application has been reviewed.

How will I get my grant money?

If awarded funds, students will be mailed a paper check to the mailing address provided in the application. Students who do not have a mailing address, must indicate so on the application and contact businessoffice@mccollege.edu to arrange for on-campus pick up.

Can I use this money to pay off my MCC balance?

MCC is not authorized to apply any federal CARES Act funds toward any outstanding balances that may still be owed by a student.

Can MCC apply the funds to my account balance with my approval or permission?

No. Federal regulations stipulate that all federal CARES Act funds must be disbursed directly to the student and may not be applied toward outstanding balances.

If I lost my job due to the COVID-19 pandemic, can I apply for grant due to lost wages?

No, lost wages are not considered an eligible expense. The federal CARES Act funds are designated for eligible expenses including food, housing, utilities, course materials, technology, internet service, health care, and/or child care.

I owe tuition for the winter, spring and/or summer term(s). Can I request funds to pay my tuition?

No. The federal CARES Act funds are designated for eligible expenses including food, housing, utilities, course materials, technology, internet service, health care, and/or child care.

Is money received from the CARES Act considered taxable income?

No. According to the Internal Revenue Service, “Emergency financial aid grants under the CARES Act for unexpected expenses, unmet financial need, or expenses related to the disruption of campus operations on account of the COVID-19 pandemic, such as unexpected expenses for food, housing, course materials, technology, health care, or childcare, are qualified disaster relief payments under section 139.”

Please consult your tax preparer for guidance related to any institutional funds you may receive.

Where can I go for more information?

Questions can be submitted to care@mccollege.edu