CARES Act Response

As of December 31, 2021 Carroll College had exhausted all Emergency Financial Aid Grants to Students.

Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund (HEERF) Reporting: Emergency Financial Aid Grants to Students
Carroll College 30-Day Fund Report

Posting Date: May 14, 2020

Overview:

Section 18004(e) of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (“CARES Act” or the “Act”)), Pub. L. No. 116-136, 134 Stat. 281 (March 27, 2020), directs institutions receiving funds under Section 18004 of the Act to submit (in a time and manner required by the Secretary) a report to the Secretary describing the use of funds distributed from the Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund (“HEERF”).

On May 6, 2020, the U.S. Department of Education, Office of Post-secondary Education posted their reporting requirements for HEERF participating institutions.

Each HEERF participating institution is responsible for providing this information in report format (the “30-day Fund Report”). In addition, these participating institutions are required to post the information listed below on the institution’s primary website. Accordingly, the following information will be easily accessible to the public and made available 30 days after the date when the institution received its allocation under 18004(a)(1) and updated every 45 days thereafter.


CARES Act Section 18004(a)(1) Institutional Portion Quarterly Budget and Expenditure Reports

CARES Act Section 18004(a)(1) Student Portion Reports


Carroll College hereby addresses questions for the “30-day Fund Report”:

1. 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.

Carroll College Response: Carroll College completed and submitted the Recipient Funding and Certification Agreement on Monday, April 20, 2020 assuring that 50% of the funds would be used as intended to provide Emergency Financial Aid Grants to students. The college received a total allocation of $941,622. The Emergency Relief Grant Oversight Committee was established in order to deliver 50% of the funding to students impacted by the COVID - 19 pandemic.

2. 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 Students.

Carroll College Response: Carroll College received $470,811 in funding to be distributed among its applicants.

3. 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).

Carroll College Response: As of May 12, 2020, the college has distributed $470,811 to students.

4. 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.

Carroll College Response: The college estimates the number of students eligible to participate in the emergency grant program is 985.

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

Carroll College Response: As of May 12, 2020, 523 students have been awarded an emergency Financial Aid Grant from the CARES Act.

6. 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.

Carroll College Response: The method used to award the emergency grants was two-pronged. The week of April 27th, Carroll College made an initial distribution of Emergency Relief Grants to select students, either through direct deposit or check, to assist with the disruption to their housing and food expenses resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic. According to the guidance in the CARES Act, students who filed a FAFSA are eligible to receive Emergency Relief Grants. The amounts of these grants were based on an analysis of each student’s spring 2020 out-of-pocket commitment, with a maximum award amount of $2,000. Data analyzed included tuition, mandatory fees, housing, and dining expenses, along with gift aid including grants and scholarships.

After the initial round of funding was completed on April 27, Carroll College opened an application process for Emergency Relief Grants. All students received an email notice of the COVID-19 Relief Fund application process on Wednesday, April 29. In addition, the application was available on the college’s COVID-19 webpage. Students were directed to apply for these additional grants using an online form. The Emergency Relief Grant Oversight Committee evaluated each application based on student expenses related to the disruption of campus operations due to COVID-19, including emergency travel, housing, food, course materials, technology, healthcare, and childcare. The review of these applications began on Wednesday, May 6, 2020 and fund distribution was completed on May 12, 2020. Other factors considered in the review process included: financial need determined by FAFSA, loss of employment, expenses related to the pandemic and other support received. Requests were reviewed by the Oversight Committee on a rolling basis until the CARES Act funding was exhausted May 12, 2020. All applicants received an email notice of their application and award status on May 12, 2020.

7. Any instructions, directions, or guidance provided by the institution to students concerning the Emergency Financial Aid Grants.

Carroll College Response: The college maintains a COVID-19 website which includes Frequently Asked Questions and provides access to information regarding the Emergency Relief Grants. The website directs users to submit questions to covid19@carroll.edu. The email address is monitored daily and questions and/or concerns are promptly responded to. An “all student” email was distributed on April 29, 2020 providing details of the CARES Act and instructions for applying for Emergency Relief Grants. Information regarding the grants along with a link to the application form was also distributed to students, parents, faculty, and staff on April 29th, via the President’s weekly COVID-19 Update email. All applicants received an email notice of their application and award status on May 12, 2020.  The award notifications directed applicants with questions to directly contact the Business Office at 406-447-5419 or at buor@carroll.edu.

CARES Act – Carroll College FAQ

The Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act provides nearly $14 billion to colleges and universities for emergency funding due to the COVID-19 outbreak. The CARES Act requires each institution to use no less than 50% of the funds received to provide emergency financial aid grants to students for expenses related to the disruption of campus operations due to coronavirus. Carroll College received a total allocation of $941,622 in emergency relief providing for at least $470,811 for distribution to students. 

How is Carroll distributing the CARES (Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security) Act funding to students?

During the week of April 27, Carroll College will begin sending an initial distribution of Emergency Relief Grants to select students, either through direct deposit or check, to assist with the disruption to their housing and food expenses during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. According to the guidance in the CARES Act, students who filed a FAFSA are eligible to receive Emergency Relief Grants. The amounts of these grants are based on an analysis of each student’s Spring 2020 out-of-pocket commitment. Data analyzed includes tuition, mandatory fees, housing, and dining expenses, along with gift aid including grants and scholarships.

After the initial round of funding is complete, Carroll College will be opening up applications to a COVID-19 Relief Fund. Students may apply for these additional grants using this online form. These grants are specifically for expenses incurred due to COVID-19 including emergency travel, housing, food, course materials, technology, healthcare, and childcare. The review of these applications will begin on Wednesday, May 6, and fund distribution will be determined by members of a Student Emergency Fund Oversight Committee. Requests will continue to be reviewed by the Oversight Committee on a rolling basis until the CARES Act funding has been exhausted.

Each student receiving the initial distribution of emergency grants will receive notice early next week with the amount and how the grant will be distributed. All students will receive notice of the COVID-19 Relief Fund application process on Wednesday, April 29.

Questions can be directed to the Business Office at buor@carroll.edu or 406-447-5419.

How can students apply for Emergency Relief Funds though Carroll's CARES Act funding?

Beginning April 29, students can apply for funding using the COVID-19 Emergency Relief Fund application form. The emergency relief grants are based on student expenses related to the disruption of campus operations due to COVID-19. These grants are specifically for expenses incurred due to COVID-19 including emergency travel, housing, food, course materials, technology, healthcare, and childcare.We know that many of you are struggling to make ends meet as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. Additionally, we understand that family financial circumstances may have changed, and we strongly encourage you to submit your application as soon as possible. Please also note, you must complete a FAFSA to be eligible for funding.

On May 6, members of the Student Emergency Relief Fund Oversight Committee will begin reviewing applications to determine grant distributions from the COVID-19 Emergency Relief Fund. Applications will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis. Requests will continue to be reviewed by the Oversight Committee on a rolling basis until the CARES Act funding has been exhausted.

Please check your Carroll email for updates and communications on a regular basis. If you have questions, please contact the Business Office at buor@carroll.edu or 406-447-5419.