CARES Act/Higher Education Emergency Relief Funding
Report #1 (May 21, 2020)
The CARES Act provides financial assistance for students who have experienced a loss of income or added expenses as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. Students who meet the following criteria will automatically be awarded CARES Act funds:
- Students must be currently enrolled in the spring 2020 term
- Students must be eligible to receive federal financial aid
- Students must not have been enrolled in exclusively online courses on March 13, 2020
- Students must have a completed 19-20 FAFSA on file*
*If you have not completed your 19-20 FAFSA, you can do so by June 30, 2020 to be considered for other financial aid sources.
For more information on CARES Act eligibility and additional COVID-19 relief funding options, read the CARES Act Frequently Asked Questions.
Higher Education Emergency Relief Funding
Congress recently passed the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act to provide some relief to students and colleges from the economic fallout related to the COVID-19 pandemic. One element of CARES Act funding is the Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund (HEERF). Clackamas Community College received $1,724,926 with $862,463 to be allocated to students, and $862,463 to help offset institution impacts. The student portion is meant to provide financial relief to students who have experienced loss of income or added expenses as a result of the pandemic. The amount of HEERF funding that institutions received is primarily based on the number of high-need students enrolled.
CCC has signed and returned to the Department of Education the Certification and Agreement for Emergency Financial Aid Grants to Students. CCC intends to use no less the 50 percent of the funds received under Section 18004(a)(1) of the CARES Act to provide emergency financial aid grants to our students.
To date, CCC has disbursed $848,742 of the CARES Act under Section 18004(a)(1) with 1,802 students at CCC 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. The college has also drawn and received the $862,463 in institutional funds with the clear nexus of the cost impacts related to moving courses from face-to-face to a remote, online environment.
To date, 1,802 students have received an emergency financial aid grant to students under Section 18004(a)(1) of the CARES Act. CCC identified all students who have a valid FAFSA for the current school year on file to be eligible. Students who were enrolled exclusively in online courses on the date the emergency was declared (March 13, 2020) were excluded and therefore, are not eligible for CARES Act emergency grants. Students must be currently enrolled during the spring 2020 term. Grants are made for the sole and exclusive purpose of providing emergency financial aid grants to students for their expenses related to the disruption of campus operations due to the coronavirus, such as food, housing, course materials, technology, health care and child care expenses.
The sudden switch to remote operations has resulted in additional costs to all enrolled students. These costs included the costs of computer/laptop ($500), upgraded or new internet service (average of $45 per month based on Portland, Oregon residential internet provider starting price) and/or a personal hotspot, additional utility and other costs as a result of staying at home full time instead of studying on campus. The total expense of these additional costs is more than the CARES Act funding can support. As a result, the most practical distribution model is to distribute the funding equally to as many eligible students as possible. The total amount of each grant an eligible student will receive is $471.
Funds
Funds will be disbursed automatically to eligible students through their student account. Students who have signed up for direct deposit will have funds disbursed directly to their bank account. All other students will have a check sent to the current address listed in their student record. The full award will be disbursed to students regardless of if they owe any money to the college.
Communication
All CCC students who are eligible for a grant were notified by email. If you did not receive an email or do not have a grant posted to your account, you were not eligible to receive a CARES grant.
Report #2 (July 5, 2020)
The CARES Act provides financial assistance for students who have experienced a loss of income or added expenses as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. Students who meet the following criteria will automatically be awarded CARES Act funds:
- Students must be currently enrolled in the spring 2020 term
- Students must be eligible to receive federal financial aid
- Students must not have been enrolled in exclusively online courses on March 13, 2020
- Students must have a completed 19-20 FAFSA on file*
*If you have not completed your 19-20 FAFSA, you can do so by June 30, 2020
For more information on CARES Act eligibility and additional COVID-19 relief funding options, read the CARES Act Frequently Asked Questions.
Higher Education Emergency Relief Funding
Congress recently passed the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act to provide some relief to students and colleges from the economic fallout related to the COVID-19 pandemic. One element of CARES Act funding is the Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund (HEERF). Clackamas Community College received $1,724,926 with $862,463 to be allocated to students, and $862,463 to help offset institution impacts. The student portion is meant to provide financial relief to students who have experienced loss of income or added expenses as a result of the pandemic. The amount of HEERF funding that institutions received is primarily based on the number of high-need students enrolled.
CCC has signed and returned to the Department of Education the Certification and Agreement for Emergency Financial Aid Grants to Students. CCC intends to use no less the 50 percent of the funds received under Section 18004(a)(1) of the CARES Act to provide emergency financial aid grants to our students.
To date, CCC has disbursed $848,271 of the CARES Act under Section 18004(a)(1) with 1,801 students at CCC 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. The college has also drawn and received the $862,463 in institutional funds with the clear nexus of the cost impacts related to moving courses from face-to-face to a remote, online environment.
To date, 1,801 students have received an emergency financial aid grant to students under Section 18004(a)(1) of the CARES Act. CCC identified all students who have a valid FAFSA for the current school year on file to be eligible. Students who were enrolled exclusively in online courses on the date the emergency was declared (March 13, 2020) were excluded and therefore, are not eligible for CARES Act emergency grants. Students must be currently enrolled during the spring 2020 term. Grants are made for the sole and exclusive purpose of providing emergency financial aid grants to students for their expenses related to the disruption of campus operations due to the coronavirus, such as food, housing, course materials, technology, health care and child care expenses.
The sudden switch to remote operations has resulted in additional costs to all enrolled students. These costs included the costs of computer/laptop ($500), upgraded or new internet service (average of $45 per month based on Portland, Oregon residential internet provider starting price) and/or a personal hotspot, additional utility and other costs as a result of staying at home full time instead of studying on campus. The total expense of these additional costs is more than the CARES Act funding can support. As a result, the most practical distribution model is to distribute the funding equally to as many eligible students as possible. The total amount of each grant an eligible student will receive is $471.
Funds
Funds will be disbursed automatically to eligible students through their student account. Students who have signed up for direct deposit will have funds disbursed directly to their bank account. All other students will have a check sent to the current address listed in their student record. The full award will be disbursed to students regardless of if they owe any money to the college.
Communication
All CCC students who are eligible for a grant were notified by email. If you did not receive an email or do not have a grant posted to your account, you were not eligible to receive a CARES grant.
Report #3 (Aug. 11, 2020)
The CARES Act provides financial assistance for students who have experienced a loss of income or added expenses as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. For the summer term, students who meet the following criteria will automatically be awarded the remaining $14,192 of CARES Act funds:
- Enrolled on March 15, 2020 during the winter 2020 term
- Students who are enrolled exclusively in online courses on the date the emergency was declared (March 13, 2020) are not eligible for CARES Act Emergency Grants
- Student must have a completed 2020-2021 FAFSA on file
- Student must be eligible to receive federal financial aid
- Student is currently enrolled for Summer 2020
- Student did not receive CARES Act funding during Spring 2020
- Student is currently meeting SAP standards
Thirty-seven students were identified as meeting the above criteria. The remaining funds of $14,192 will be divided equally and rounded to the next whole dollar in the amount of $384.
Total amount of CARES Act Emergency Grants provided to students is $862,479
*For more information on CARES Act eligibility and additional COVID-19 relief funding options, read the CARES Act Frequently Asked Questions.
Higher Education Emergency Relief Funding
Congress recently passed the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act to provide some relief to students and colleges from the economic fallout related to the COVID-19 pandemic. One element of CARES Act funding is the Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund (HEERF). Clackamas Community College received $1,724,926 with $862,463 to be allocated to students, and $862,463 to help offset institution impacts. The student portion is meant to provide financial relief to students who have experienced loss of income or added expenses as a result of the pandemic. The amount of HEERF funding that institutions received is primarily based on the number of high-need students enrolled.
CCC has signed and returned to the Department of Education the Certification and Agreement for Emergency Financial Aid Grants to Students. CCC intends to use no less the 50 percent of the funds received under Section 18004(a)(1) of the CARES Act to provide emergency financial aid grants to our students.
To date, CCC has disbursed $848,742 of the CARES Act under Section 18004(a)(1) with 1,801 students at CCC 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. The college has also drawn and received the $862,463 in institutional funds with the clear nexus of the cost impacts related to moving courses from face-to-face to a remote, online environment.
To date, 1,838 students have received an emergency financial aid grant under Section 18004(a)(1) of the CARES Act. CCC identified all students who have a valid FAFSA for the current school year on file to be eligible. Students who were enrolled exclusively in online courses on the date the emergency was declared (March 13, 2020) were excluded and therefore, are not eligible for CARES Act emergency grants. Students must haven been enrolled during the spring term 2020 for spring disbursement or currently enrolled summer term 2020 for summer disbursement. Grants are made for the sole and exclusive purpose of providing emergency financial aid grants to students for their expenses related to the disruption of campus operations due to the coronavirus, such as food, housing, course materials, technology, health care and child care expenses.
The sudden switch to remote operations has resulted in additional costs to all enrolled students. These costs included the costs of computer/laptop ($500), upgraded or new internet service (average of $45 per month based on Portland, Oregon residential internet provider starting price) and/or a personal hotspot, additional utility and other costs as a result of staying at home full time instead of studying on campus. The total expense of these additional costs is more than the CARES Act funding can support. As a result, the most practical distribution model is to distribute the funding equally to as many eligible students as possible. The total amount of each grant an eligible student will receive is $471 for spring term 2020 and $384 for summer term 2020.
Funds
Funds will be disbursed automatically to eligible students through their student account. Students who have signed up for direct deposit will have funds disbursed directly to their bank account. All other students will have a check sent to the current address listed in their student record. The full award will be disbursed to students regardless of if they owe any money to the college.
Communication
All CCC students who are eligible for a grant were notified by email. If you did not receive an email or do not have a grant posted to your account, you were not eligible to receive a CARES grant.
Report #4 (April 2021)
The CRRSA Act provided financial assistance for students who have experienced a loss of income or added expenses as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. Students who meet the following criteria were automatically awarded CRRSA Act funds:
- Students must have been enrolled in the winter 2021 term.
- Students must have completed at least one credit, or a GED or English as a Second Language course.
A total of 5,295 students were issued checks in amounts varying from $50 to $525 depending on number of credits taken, with a priority amount given to Pell students. In total, $884,700 was issued.
Report #5 (June 2021)
The American Rescue Plan Act provided financial assistance for students who experienced a loss of income or added expenses as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. Students who meet the following criteria were automatically be awarded American Rescue Plan Act funds:
- Students must have been enrolled in the spring 2021 term.
- Students must have completed at least one credit, or a GED or English as a Second Language course.
A total of 6,974 students were issued checks in amounts varying from $100 to $800 depending on number of credits taken, with a priority amount given to Pell students. In total, $2,216,300 was issued.
Report #6 (Sept. 2021)
CCC has signed and returned CARES/CRRSAA/ARP Institutional Agreement provides assurance and states that it will use $862,463 in CARES, $862,463 in CRRSSA and $5,000,847 in ARP funds to provide emergency financial aid grants to students.
This report provides updated charts of all student funds that have been distributed through September 30, 2021.
Student Federal Funds | Total Award | Distributed | Remaining Balance |
---|---|---|---|
CARES Act | $862,463 | $862,463 | $0 |
CRRSAA | $862,463 | $862,463 | $0 |
ARP | $5,000,847 | $2,215,600 | $2,785,247 |
Total | $6,725,773 | $3,940,526 | $2,785,247 |
Federal Act | CARES | CRRSAA | ARP | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Total Award | $862,463 | $862,463 | $5,000,847 | |
Award Term | Spring 2020 | Summer 2020 | Winter 2021 | Spring 2021 |
Total Eligible Students | 1,802 | 37 | 5,295 | 6,974 |
Total Receiving Funds | 1,801 | 37 | 5,295 | 6,971 |
Total Awarded for Term | $848,271 | $14,192 | $862,463 | $2,215,600 |
Range of Awards | $471-$471 | $384-$384 | $50-%525 | $100-$800 |
Average Award per Student | $471 | $384 | $162.88 | $317.83 |
Priority Methodology | Pell only | Pell only | Pell given priority amount | Pell given priority amount |
Changes to your Family's Financial Situation If you or your family's financial situation has recently changed significantly from what is reflected on your federal income tax form, such as you were recently married or divorced, lost your job, or otherwise experienced a considerable drop in income (25% or more), or you have an unborn child on the way, you may be eligible to have your financial aid adjusted. Please contact the Financial Aid Office at finaid@clackamas.edu, or call at 503-594-6082.
Report #7 (Dec. 2021)
CCC has signed and returned CARES/CRRSAA/ARP Institutional Agreement provides assurance and states that it will use $862,463 in CARES, $862,463 in CRRSSA and $5,000,847 in ARP funds to provide emergency financial aid grants to students.
This report provides updated charts of all student funds that have been distributed through December 31, 2021.
Student Federal Funds | Total Award | Distributed | Remaining Balance |
---|---|---|---|
CARES Act | $862,463 | $862,463 | $0 |
CRRSAA | $862,463 | $862,463 | $0 |
ARP | $5,000,847 | $4,932,702 | $68,145 |
Total | $6,725,773 | $6,657,628 | $68,145 |
Federal Act | CARES | CRRSAA | ARP | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Total Award | $862,463 | $862,463 | $5,000,847 | ||||
Award Term | Spring 2020 | Summer 2020 | Winter 2021 | Spring 2021 | Debt Forgiveness | Summer 2021 | Fall 2021 |
Total Eligible Students | 1,802 | 37 | 5,295 | 6,974 | 510 | 1,789 | 6,291 |
Total Receiving Funds | 1,801 | 37 | 5,295 | 6,971 | 136 | 1,789 | 6,291 |
Total Awarded for Term | $848,271 | $14,192 | $862,463 | $2,215,600 | $127,152 | $492,750 | $2,097,200 |
Range of Awards | $471-$471 | $384-$384 | $50-$525 | $100-$800 | $100-$2,500 | $100-$650 | $100-$800 |
Average Award per Student | $471 | $384 | $162.88 | $317.83 | $934.94 | $275.43 | $333.37 |
Priority Methodology | Pell only | Pell only | Pell given priority amount | Pell given priority amount |
Changes to your Family's Financial Situation If you or your family's financial situation has recently changed significantly from what is reflected on your federal income tax form, such as you were recently married or divorced, lost your job, or otherwise experienced a considerable drop in income (25% or more), or you have an unborn child on the way, you may be eligible to have your financial aid adjusted. Please contact the Financial Aid Office at finaid@clackamas.edu, or call at 503-594-6082.
Report #8 (March 2022)
CCC has signed and returned CARES/CRRSAA/ARP Institutional Agreement provides assurance and states that it will use $862,463 in CARES, $862,463 in CRRSSA and $5,000,847 in ARP funds to provide emergency financial aid grants to students.
This report provides updated charts of all student funds that have been distributed through March 31, 2022.
Student Federal Funds | Total Award | Distributed | Remaining Balance |
---|---|---|---|
CARES Act | $862,463 | $862,463 | $0 |
CRRSAA | $862,463 | $862,463 | $0 |
ARP | $5,000,847 | $4,932,702 | $68,145 |
Total | $6,725,773 | $6,657,628 | $68,145 |
Federal Act (Total Award) | CARES ($862,463) | CRRSAA ($862,463) | ARP ($5,000,847) | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Award Term | Spring 2020 | Summer 2020 | Winter 2021 | Spring 2021 | Debt Forgiveness | Summer 2021 | Fall 2021 |
Total Eligible Students | 1,802 | 37 | 5,295 | 6,974 | 510 | 1,789 | 6,291 |
Total Receiving Funds | 1,801 | 37 | 5,295 | 6,974 | 510 | 1,789 | 6,291 |
Total Awarded for Term | $848,271 | $14,192 | $862,463 | $2,215,600 | $127,152 | $492,750 | $2,097,200 |
Range of Awards | $471-$471 | $384-$384 | $50-$525 | $100-$800 | $100-$2,500 | $100-$650 | $100-$800 |
Average Award per Student | $471 | $384 | $162.88 | $317.83 | $934.94 | $275.43 | $333.37 |
Priority Methodology | Pell only | Pell only | Pell given priority amount | Pell given priority amount |
Changes to your Family's Financial Situation If you or your family's financial situation has recently changed significantly from what is reflected on your federal income tax form, such as you were recently married or divorced, lost your job, or otherwise experienced a considerable drop in income (25% or more), or you have an unborn child on the way, you may be eligible to have your financial aid adjusted. Please contact the Financial Aid Office at finaid@clackamas.edu, or call at 503-594-6082.
Report #9 (June 2022 – Final Report)
CCC has signed and returned CARES/CRRSAA/ARP Institutional Agreement provides assurance and states that it will use $862,463 in CARES, $862,463 in CRRSSA and $5,000,847 in ARP funds to provide emergency financial aid grants to students.
This report provides updated charts of all student funds that have been distributed through June 30, 2022.
Student Federal Funds | Total Award | Distributed | Remaining Balance |
---|---|---|---|
CARES Act | $862,463 | $862,463 | $0 |
CRRSAA | $862,463 | $862,463 | $0 |
ARP | $5,000,847 | $5,000,847 | $0 |
Total | $6,725,773 | $6,725,773 | $0 |
Federal Act (Total Award) | CARES ($862,463) | CRRSAA ($862,463) | ARP ($5,000,847) | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Award Term | Spring 2020 | Summer 2020 | Winter 2021 | Spring 2021 | Debt Forgiveness | Summer 2021 | Fall 2021 |
Total Eligible Students | 1,802 | 37 | 5,295 | 6,974 | 1,260 | 1,789 | 6,291 |
Total Receiving Funds | 1,801 | 37 | 5,295 | 6,971 | 246 | 1,789 | 6,291 |
Total Awarded for Term | $848,271 | $14,192 | $862,463 | $2,215,600 | $195,297 | $492,750 | $2,097,200 |
Range of Awards | $471-$471 | $384-$384 | $50-$525 | $100-$800 | $50-$2,500 | $100-$650 | $100-$800 |
Average Award per Student | $471 | $384 | $162.88 | $317.83 | $793.89 | $275.43 | $333.37 |
Priority Methodology | Pell only | Pell only | Pell given priority amount | Pell given priority amount |
Changes to your Family’s Financial Situation If you or your family’s financial situation has recently changed significantly from what is reflected on your federal income tax form, such as you were recently married or divorced, lost your job,
or otherwise experienced a considerable drop in income (25% or more), or you have an unborn child on the way, you may be eligible to have your financial aid adjusted. Please contact the Financial Aid Office at finaid@clackamas.edu,
or call at 503-594-6082.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
CARES Act Frequently Asked Questions
The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act was passed by Congress and signed into law on March 27, 2020. One aspect of the act was the creation of the Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund (HEERF). The CARES Act provides funds to institutions for emergency financial aid grants to students whose lives have been disrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic.
CCC has been allocated $1,724,926 million to provide emergency grants to students for expenses related to the disruption of campus operations due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Funds are intended to help with academically related expenses such as food, housing, course materials, technology, healthcare, and child care. CCC's allocation was determined by the U.S. Department of Education based on the number of Pell Grant-eligible students enrolled on campus (70% of the weight) and the overall enrollment (30% of the weight). Given the weighting, Congress clearly intends the funds to go to students with the most financial need.
There are three general eligibility criteria for these funds: 1) students must be currently enrolled in the spring 2020 term; 2) students must be eligible to receive federal financial aid; and 3) students must not have been enrolled in exclusively online courses on March 13, 2020.
Currently enrolled students who are not eligible for federal CARES Act emergency grants may be able to receive different emergency grants supported by other sources of institutional funding.
Yes. The college is looking for ways to assist as many currently enrolled students during this pandemic as possible. The college is creating a fast and simple process for students who need to apply for additional funding based on their current financial situation. More information on that process will be added to this Q&A soon.
Yes. If you are eligible for this emergency grant, you will receive the grant even if you have current holds or owe the college.
No. You only need to be currently enrolled.
Emergency grants will be automatically disbursed to students through Student Accounts. Students do not need to apply for the funding.
Grant amounts are equal for all students who have complete the FAFSA application, are currently enrolled for the spring 2020 term and are not enrolled exclusively online. The total amount for each grant is $471.
Emergency grants will either be directly deposited for students who have set up their account or sent via check to the student's current mailing address. Setting up direct deposit is the quickest and most secure way to receive your funds. This service is free and you can have your funds electronically deposited into any type of account at any banking institution or credit union.
Students who are not already signed up for direct deposit may still do so for future disbursements. To sign up:
- Log in to your myClackamas account and navigate to Payment Information.
- Once there, click on Pay and Account Information, and then the eRefunds button.
- Click on Set up Account and enter banking account information.
- Don't forget to save your information.
Students who have questions about signing up for direct deposit should contact Accounts Receivable at staccounts@clackamas.edu. Students who do not sign up for direct deposit will need to wait for a paper check to be mailed and should immediately log in to their student account to update their current mailing address.
The emergency grant disbursement process began on May 20, 2020. CCC will follow our established refund schedule and funds will leave the college on the last business day of the week, May 22, 2020.
For students who have signed up for direct deposit, emergency grants will be deposited directly to account the student has indicated. For students who do not sign up for direct deposit, checks will be mailed to the student’s current address.
The most important action you can take right now is to sign up for direct deposit. You can learn more and enroll online by logging into your myClackamas. It’s free, easy and provides an additional layer of security to protect your confidential information (e.g., bank account numbers).
CCC will never reach out to you and ask you for your personal information such as your banking information or password. If you receive a call, text, or message claiming to be from CCC and asking for personal information, please don’t respond and reach out to us directly instead.
The grant should be used for academically related expenses incurred due to COVID-19. Some examples include expenses related to food, housing, course materials, technology, health care and child care.
We understand that students have significant needs during this time. The emergency grants are meant to help meet your financial needs, but we know the grants will not be enough money for many students. If you are having substantial financial difficulties, please reach out to the Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships for information on other resources.
Completing the FAFSA now may help you become eligible for other types of financial aid. Students can complete the 2019-20 FAFSA through June 30, 2020. The 2019-20 FAFSA covers the spring 2020 term. Completing the FAFSA will allow students to be considered for many kinds of financial aid. Be sure to include Clackamas Community College’s school code 004878.
This grant is not included in your gross income. The Internal Revenue Service has announced that 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 are qualified disaster relief payments under section 139 of the Internal Revenue Code.
For basic questions about your eligibility for CARES Act emergency grants, email finaid@clackamas.edu. For questions about the disbursement of grant funds, email staccounts@clackamas.edu.
Yes. If the COVID-19 pandemic has not impacted your financial situation, you can donate to the Clackamas Community College Foundation COVID-19 Relief Fund online to directly support other students in need. We cannot redirect your CARES Act emergency grant to this fund, however, once you receive the funds, you can donate them to other students. To donate, click on the link below:
Donate my funds to other students.
You can always donate to this fund to directly support students in need. For more information, visit the Clackamas Community College Area of Greatest Need's website.