CARES Act

Umpqua Community College: Higher Education Emergency Relief Funds (HEERF)

Update 06/30/2021

Umpqua Community College (UCC) signed and submitted to the U.S. Department of Education the Certification and Agreement required to access the Higher Education Emergency Relief Funds (HEERF) as of April 15, 2020. UCC 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.

The total amount of funds that UCC has received from the Department pursuant to the institution’s Certification and Agreement [for] Emergency Financial Aid Grants to Students is:

$560,927

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 is:

883*

As of 06/25/2020, the total number of students who have received an Emergency Financial Aid Grant to students under Section 18004(a)(1) of the CARES Act is 816, and the total amount of Emergency Financial Aid Grants distributed to students under Section 18004(a)(1) of the CARES Act is:

$582,662*

*After the initial Student CARES Act funds were distributed, 33 more students were identified that qualify to receive aid. UCC reallocated funds from Institutional CARES Act funds to provide $21,735 to help cover the aid due to those students.

In addition to the above, UCC allocate Emergency SEOG funds that went to another 19 students in the amount of $12,658.

Summer term update

UCC awarded 11 students Summer term Institutional CARES Act funds in the amount of $7,260.

The method used by UCC to determine which students receive Emergency Financial Aid Grants and how much they would receive under Section 18004(a)(1) of the CARES Act is described below.

  • The College believes that all students enrolled in Spring 2020 term were impacted in some way by the closure of the college campus and the migration of coursework to a remote format. The precise impact will be different for each student, but may include additional costs related to food, housing, course materials, technology, health care, and child-care expenses.
  • Students were deemed eligible for the HEERF funds if they met the following requirements:
    • They were enrolled for at least 1 credit at UCC in Spring 2020 term and pursuing an aid-eligible degree or certificate.
    • They were enrolled in welding and apprenticeship courses at UCC that were cancelled in Spring 2020 and rescheduled for Summer 2020 and they subsequently dropped all their classes for Spring Term. Welding and apprenticeship students who were forced to drop all their courses in Spring 2020 are eligible for the Emergency Financial Aid Grants if, in both Spring 2020 and Summer 2020, they meet the requirements outlined herein.
    • They had a 2019-20 FAFSA on file with UCC that confirmed Title IV eligibility criteria including but not limited to the following: U.S. citizenship or eligible noncitizen; a valid Social Security number; registration with Selective Service (if the student is male); and a high school diploma, GED, or completion of high school in an approved homeschool setting.
    • They had a remaining lifetime eligibility for loans and/or Pell Grant
    • They were meeting the UCC’s Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) requirements
  • All Spring 2020 students received the same award amount of $660. The amount was determined based on the number of eligible students, the amount of funding, and the desire of the College to keep a portion of the funds for a potential second disbursement for up to 27 students who are late-eligible students and summer-eligible CTE students who dropped all Spring 2020 courses because their major courses were cancelled by the College. The award amount was equal to approximately 13% of the average Cost of Attendance (COA), not including tuition and fees.

All UCC students received an email with the content below regarding the Emergency Financial Aid Grants on 5/28/2020. This message was sent from the Director of Financial Aid to all students, regardless of whether they were eligible for the award.

Students,

Later this week we will begin distributing our CARES Act fund to all eligible students. The CARES Act was developed by the US government in response to the COVID-19 pandemic and establishes and funds the Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund (HEERF). This HEERF was created to specifically provide emergency financial aid grants to students for their expenses related to the disruption of campus operations due to COVID-19. These grants are intended to help students with their necessary expenses which may include food, housing, course materials, technology, health care, and child-care expenses.

The federal government limited CARES Act funds to Title IV eligible students, which means only those students who meet eligibility criteria for federal financial aid may receive the emergency financial aid grants. Eligibility criteria include but are not limited to the following: U.S. citizenship or eligible noncitizen; a valid Social Security number; registration with Selective Service (if the student is male); a high school diploma, GED, or completion of high school in an approved homeschool setting; eligibility for loans and/or Pell grants, and satisfactory academic progress.

UCC students who qualify for these funds will receive an email following this one with more details surrounding the funds they will be receiving. The funds will be automatically disbursed, and no application will be required.

Once we received guidelines from the federal government for disbursement, we worked to award these funds to our students as quickly and broadly as allowed. However, we sadly know the Title IV eligibility criteria will exclude a number of our students who are in need. Students who were excluded and have emergency needs may apply to the UCC Foundation for extra support.

Again, we urge you to please reach out to us if you need support – monetary or otherwise. We are doing all we can to make sure each of our students has the resources and support needed to continue their educational journey and achieve their goals.

Stay safe and continue your journey.
Michelle Bergmann
Director of Financial Aid

All students who were eligible and awarded the Emergency Grant funds received an email with the following information and instructions concerning the Emergency Financial Aid Grants:

Hi [Student],

You have been identified as a Title IV eligible student whose life was likely impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, and therefore will be receiving funds to help you with expenses related to the resulting disruption of campus operations. As a result, the College will be distributing $660 directly to you next week using the distribution method you have selected for refunds. (Check and Direct Deposit)

You will be able to use these funds at your discretion for any necessity expenses you may have such as food, housing, course materials, technology, health care, and child-care expenses. We have not applied any of the funds due to you to outstanding account balances. You will still need to pay any outstanding balances in order to register for Summer or Fall terms.

These funds were made available by the US Government and are being distributed in accordance with their restrictions and guidelines.

We understand that this pandemic has created a number of unique needs for our students. If you are experiencing hardships at this time – monetary or otherwise – please do not hesitate to reach out to us via [email protected] and we will do all that we can to support you with the resources you need to continue your academic journey and ultimately reach your goals.

Stay safe and continue your journey.
Michelle Bergmann
Director of Financial Aid