Federal CARES Act - Three Rivers College

Higher Education Emergency Relief Funding (HEERF I)

What is the Federal CARES Act?

Based on guidance from the U.S. Department of Education, the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund (HEERF), IHE/Student Aid provides emergency financial aid grants to students to cover expenses related to the disruption of campus operations due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

In addition to the Student Aid funding, the CARES Act section 18004(a)(1) also provides an equal amount of Institutional Aid funding to cover college expenses related to the disruption of campus operations due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Furthermore, the CARES Act section 18004(a)(2) Strengthening Institutions Program provides funds to institutions that are not participating in the other Minority Serving Institutions (MSI) programs but have at least 50 percent of their degree students receiving need-based assistance under Title IV of the Higher Education Act or have a substantial number of enrolled students receiving Pell Grants, and have low educational and general expenditures.

Funding for HEERF I is complete.

Student Aid

Why did I get this money?

The U.S. Department of Education has made CARES Act funds available to students who incurred expenses as a result of COVID-19 related disruptions to campus operations. Based on federal guidance, these funds are provided to help students cover expenses related to food, housing, course materials, technology, health care and childcare expenses.

Acknowledgement of funding for Three Rivers College

Three Rivers College has signed and returned to the United States Department of Education 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.

Three Rivers College has received $1,140,644 to provide Emergency Financial Aid Grants to students.

Three Rivers College has 1,255 students who are 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.

As of May 9, 2020, Three Rivers has awarded all the funding to 1,255 students.

Eligibility criteria

Completed a 2019-2020 FAFSA and any outstanding financial aid requirements.
Eligible to receive Federal Title IV funding as determined by the FAFSA.
Must be currently enrolled and degree seeking in at least one class which was originally offered face to face on March 23, 2020 (excluding financial aid consortium students, please contact your home school for information on CARES Act Funding). If you were originally enrolled in all online courses, you are ineligible.
Must not be on financial aid suspension.

Eligible expenses

The U.S. Department of Education has made CARES Act funds available to students who incurred expenses as a result of COVID-19 related disruptions to campus operations. Based on federal guidance, these funds are provided to help students cover expenses related to food, housing, course materials, technology, health care and childcare expenses.

How was my award determined?

Three Rivers College determined that all Title IV eligible, degree seeking students who were attending face-to-face were impacted due to the change in the method of instruction on March 23, 2020. If you were originally enrolled in all on-line courses, you are ineligible. Due to this change, students lost access to technology on campus which included computer usage, printing, internet connectivity, etc. In addition, with the closure of campus housing, some students were required to relocate.

Grants were awarded based on estimated family contribution (EFC) that was calculated based on FAFSA information and current credit hour Spring 2020 enrollment status. Students with an EFC of $5,576 and below received approximately 80 percent of the funding. Awards were distributed as follows:

Full time—12 or more hours: $1,119.30
Three quarter—9 to 11 hours: $839.00
Half time—6-8 hours: $560.00
Less than half time—1-5 hours: $279.98

Students with an EFC of $5,577 or higher received the remaining portion of the funding. Awards were distributed as follows:

Full time—12 or more hours: $813.30
Three quarter—9 to 11 hours: $609.98
Half time—6-8 hours: $406.65
Less than half time—1-5 hours: $203.33

I got this money as a refund. Does it mean my TRC account balance has been paid off?

No. Per federal guidance from the U.S. Department of Education, funds should be distributed directly to students.

HEERF I Disbursement of funding

Students who are eligible to receive the funding will be notified by the Office of Financial Aid and may review their financial aid offer through their myTRCC account under the financial aid section. Unless we receive notification that the student wishes to decline the award, the award will be considered accepted.

The funds will be processed and distributed by Three Rivers College to the bank account the student places on file for refund purposes. Get more information on setting your account for refunds.

The Office of Student Accounts will send an email to all eligible students once the funding has been disbursed.

For more information, please visit Student Accounts.

HEERF II Funds

Three Rivers College is pleased to announce our partnership with the U.S. Department of Education in the delivery of Emergency Financial Aid Grants to Students from the Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund (HEERF), created under the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act (CRRSAA). Emergency Financial Aid Grants are available to assist students who have had emergency expenses arise due to the Coronavirus while attending TRC. Assistance is available to help cover any component of the cost of attendance including tuition, fees, other institutional charges, food, housing, transportation, course materials, technology, health care (including mental health) and child care.

TRC has $1,140,644 in funding available through the student portion of CRRSAA for Emergency Financial aid Grants to students.

As of June 2, 2021, TRC estimates 951 students received funding in the amount of $1,140,644.

Funding for HEERF II is complete.

Phase 1: Application Process and How Phase I Award was Determined

TRC estimates that approximately 1,486 students may be eligible to receive Emergency Financial Aid Grants and application accepted with priority deadline of March 31.

The HEERF II guidelines required schools to prioritize students who demonstrated the greatest need. Therefore, students who have submitted a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to TRC with an Expected Family Contribution (EFC) of $29,999 and have submitted an application will be awarded an automatic award of $1,200.

Student Eligibility

Currently enrolled in degree seeking program for Spring 2021.
Be a U.S. Citizen.
Have FAFSA on file for 2020-2021 with EFC below $29,999.

TRC estimates that 656 students received funding under Phase I application process in the amount of $787,200.

Phase 2: HEERF II Application Process

TRC understands there are a wide range of students and their families who have been impacted by the coronavirus and have incurred unexpected expenses. Therefore, funding is available to help students who did not fall into the need-based category described above.

Additional HEERF II Emergency Grants are available to students through an application-based funding request process.

Student Eligibility

Be a U.S. Citizen.
Attended Three Rivers College in the 2021 Spring semester.

Students received multiple email notifications via email of the grant award and opportunity. TRC also provided information via our website and Facebook page.

TRC estimates that 295 students received funding under the Phase 2 application process in the amount of $353,444 as of May 12, 2021. TRC will continue to accept applications until funding is exhausted.

HEERF II Disbursement of Funding

Students who are eligible to receive the funding will be notified by the Office of Financial Aid and may review their financial aid offer through their myTRCC account under the financial aid section. Unless we receive notification that the student wishes to decline the award, the award will be considered accepted.

The funds will be processed and distributed by Three Rivers College to the bank account the student places on file for refund purposes. Get more information on setting your account for refunds.

The Office of Student Accounts will send an email to all eligible students once the funding has been disbursed.

Phase I & 2 funding will be awarded to students who have completed the application process. Students were given the option to consent to pay institutional charges prior to receiving their refund. Students who elected not to consent will have funds refunded directly to them.

For more information, please visit Student Accounts.

HEERF III Funding

Three Rivers College is pleased to announce our partnership with the U.S. Department of Education in the delivery of Emergency Financial Aid Grants to Students from the Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund (HEERF III), created under the American Rescue Plan (ARP) to serve students and ensure learning continues during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Assistance is available to help cover emergency costs that arise due to the coronavirus related to any component of the cost of attendance including food, housing, transportation, course materials, technology, health care (including mental health), child care, and educational costs.

TRC has $4,102,907 in funding available through the student portion of ARP for Emergency Financial aid Grants to students.

Funding for HEERF III is complete.

Phase 1: Automatic Funding and How Phase I was Determined

Eligibility criteria for Phase I automatic funding:

Attended Summer 2021 course.
Demonstrated exceptional need based on the Expected Family Contribution (EFC) from the FAFSA with an EFC of 5711 or below.

TRC estimates that approximately 453 students are eligible to receive an award in the amount of $1,000 under the Phase I process.

All Phase 1 and Phase 2 funding is complete.

Phase 2: HEERF III Application Process

TRC understands there are a wide range of students and their families who have been impacted by the coronavirus and have incurred unexpected expenses. Therefore, funding is available to help students who did not fall into the need-based category described above.

Additional HEERF III Emergency Grants are available to students through an application process. Students who already received an award based on above criteria are not eligible to receive a second award.

Students received multiple email notifications via email of the grant award and opportunity.

TRC estimates approximately 308 students are eligible to receive an award based on the application process under Phase II as of June 21, 2021. Approximately 76 students submitted an application and received $1,000 award.

All Phase 1 and Phase 2 funding is complete.

Phase 3: Automatic Funding and How Phase 3 was Determined

Eligibility criteria for Phase 3 automatic funding:

Registered and attending classes for 2021 Fall as of September 7, 2021.
Demonstrated exceptional need based on the Expected Family Contribution (EFC) from the FAFSA with an EFC of 5846 or below.

TRC estimates that approximately 1277 students are eligible to receive an award in the amount of $1,000 under the Phase 3 process.

Phase 4: HEERF III Application Process

TRC understands there are a wide range of students and their families who have been impacted by the coronavirus and have incurred unexpected expenses. Therefore, funding is available to help students who did not fall into the need-based category described above.

Additional HEERF III Emergency Grants are available to students through an application process. Students who already received an award based on above criteria are not eligible to receive a second award.

Students received email notifications via email of the grant award and opportunity.

TRC estimates approximately 1320 students are eligible to receive an award based on the application process under Phase III as of September 9, 2021. Funds are limited and on a first come first serve basis.

Eligibility criteria was expanded for funding for students who began courses October 11, 2021.

As of December 16, 2021, approximately 1,676 students have been awarded HEERF III funding during the Fall 21 semester totaling 1,676,000.00.

As of January 5, 2022, approximately 1,677 students had been awarded HEERF III funding during the Fall 21 semester totaling 1,677,000.00.

All Phase 3 and Phase 4 funding is complete with a total of 1,879 students receiving funding in the amount of $1,679,000.

Phase 5: Automatic Funding and How Phaase 5 was Determined

Eligibility criteria for Phase 5 automatic funding:

Registered and attended class for 2022 Spring as of February 8, 2022 or registered for only a B session course as of February 8, 2022, which will be awarded once attendance is verified.
Demonstrated exceptional need based on the Expected Family Contribution (EFC) from the FAFSA with an EFC of 5846 or below as of February 8, 2022.

TRC estimates that approximately 1129 students are eligible to receive an award in the amount of $1,350 under the Phase 5 process. Approximately 1107 students were disbursed refunds directly to them on February 18, 2022, in the amount of $1,494,450.00.

Eligibility was expanded to students who later completed FAFSA or registered for B session courses. TRC estimates that a total of 1147 students were eligible to receive funding under Phase 6 which totaled $1,548,450.00.

Phase 6: HEERF III Application Process

TRC understands there are a wide range of students and their families who have been impacted by the coronavirus and have incurred unexpected expenses. Therefore, funding is available to help students who did not fall into the need-based category described above.

Additional HEERF III Emergency Grants are available to students through an application process. Students who already received an award based on above criteria are not eligible to receive a second award.

Students received notifications via email of the grant award and opportunity.

TRC estimates approximately 1166 students are eligible to receive a $1000 award based on the application process under Phase 6 as of February 8, 2022. Funds are limited and will be awarded on a first-come, first-served basis.

As of March 30, 2022, approximately 329 students have received funding under Phase 6 in the amount of $329,000.00.

As of April 4, 2022 all funding has been awarded with 344 student receiving funding totaling $344,000

Public Quarterly Reporting Requirements

Supplemental Support under American Rescue Plan (SSARP)

Three Rivers College has received Supplemental Support under American Rescue Plan (SSARP) to serve students and ensure learning continues in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic. These grants can help cover emergency costs that arise due to the coronavirus related to any component of the cost of attendance or an emergency cost due to coronavirus such as tuition, food, housing, health care (including mental), or childcare.

Eligible students will meet the following requirements:

Be registered and attending classes at the time of application submission. Students who are withdrawn from all courses through as No Shows will no longer be eligible.
Priority will be given to students with exceptional need based on EFC of 0-6206 as indicated by the 2022-2023 FAFSA application.
Applications will be accepted August 29, 2022 through September 23, 2022 and funding amounts are anticipated to be determined and awarded the following week.

TRC has $411,120.00 in funding available through the student portion of SSARP for Emergency Financial aid Grants to students.

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Institutional Aid

Acknowledgement of funding for Three Rivers College

Three Rivers College has signed and returned to the United States Department of Education the Certification and Agreement for funds received under Section 18004(a)(1) of the CARES Act HEERF-Institutional Aid program in the amount of $1,140,644 to cover college expenses related to the disruption of campus operations due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Additionally, Three Rivers College has signed and returned to the United States Department of Education the Certification and Agreement for funds received under Section 18004(a)(2) of the CARES Act HEERF-Strengthening Institutions program in the amount of $110,739 to cover additional college expenses related to the disruption of campus operations due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

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