CARES Act Emergency Grants (Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund - HEERF)
Funding Amount
$50 - $850 (varies by award cycle and enrollment status)
Deadline
Rolling / Open
Grant Type
foundation
Overview
CARES Act Emergency Grants
Funder: Eastern Iowa Community Colleges (EICC) in partnership with the U.S. Department of Education
Program Status: Closed/Historical - Multiple award cycles from Spring 2020 through Spring 2023
Geographic Scope: Eastern Iowa (three EICC campuses: Scott Community College, Clinton Community College, Muscatine Community College)
Focus Areas: Emergency financial assistance for students experiencing unexpected expenses related to campus disruption caused by COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic
- Must be enrolled in credit courses at EICC for the relevant semester
- Must have a FAFSA on file
- Must meet federal financial aid standards
- Exclusions: High school students, guest students, non-degree-seeking students
- Priority given to Pell Grant-eligible students with demonstrated financial need
Eligibility Requirements
Award Criteria
Awards were calculated using a two-factor formula: 1. Demonstrated Financial Need (based on EFC/Expected Family Contribution or Pell eligibility) 2. Enrollment Status (full-time, 3/4-time, part-time, less than half-time)- Course-related fees (online course fees)
- Technology needs and equipment
- Childcare costs
- Lost wages due to COVID-19 impact
- Other emergency expenses related to campus operations disruption
Types of Eligible Expenses
- Spring 2023: $240-$307 (Pell-eligible health program students only)
- Spring 2022: $300-$850
- Fall 2021: $275-$275
- Summer 2021: $100-$200
- Spring 2021: $50-$650
- Fall 2020: Varying amounts based on enrollment status
Award Cycles and Amounts
- Automatic disbursement via BankMobile using student-selected preferences
- Direct deposit or check pickup at college business office
- Students could apply funds to outstanding balances if desired (not required)
Disbursement Method
Contact Information
EICC Business Offices at any campus location East Locations: Scott, Clinton, Muscatine Community Colleges Phone: 1-888-336-3907 Email: eiccinfo@eicc.eduBackground
Funding authorized under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act and subsequent HEERF legislation to help students with emergency expenses during campus disruptions caused by COVID-19 pandemic.How to Apply
Application Process
Automatic Disbursement: Students did NOT need to submit formal applications. Eligibility was determined automatically based on EICC student records.
Key Steps
1. Enrollment Requirement
- Ensure enrollment in credit courses for the applicable semester
- Enrollment data pulled on designated dates (e.g., March 17 for Spring 2022, September 20 for Fall 2021)
2. FAFSA Submission
- Must have completed FAFSA for the academic year
- Financial aid office uses FAFSA data to determine financial need levels
3. Automatic Award Calculation
- EICC Financial Aid Office automatically calculates eligibility using:
- EFC (Expected Family Contribution) or Pell Grant eligibility status
- Current credit hour enrollment
- No student application form required
4. Notification and Disbursement
- Students notified of award amounts (typically week before disbursement)
- Awards posted to student accounts on designated dates
- For students with outstanding balances, EICC notified them of opportunity to apply grant to balance (optional)
5. Fund Reception
- Direct Deposit: Automatic to student-registered bank account
- Check: Available for pickup at college business office (typically within one week of posting)
- Valid FAFSA on file
- Current enrollment in credit courses
- Valid student record at EICC
Required Documentation
- No essay or narrative required
- No separate application form
- No proof of expenses required
- Eligibility determined entirely by institutional records
No Additional Materials Needed
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