INFORMATION AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2020

Who is eligible to receive a grant?

Only students who are or could be eligible to participate in programs under Title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965, as amended (HEA), may receive emergency financial aid grants. If a student has filed a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), then the student has demonstrated eligibility. Students who have not filed a FAFSA but who are eligible to file a FAFSA also may receive emergency financial aid grants. We are distributing funds in accordance with guidance from the United State Department of Education to students who meet the following criteria:

• Enrolled during Spring 2020 term as of March 13, 2020
• Enrolled half-time or greater (6 or more credits – irrespective of FACA)
• Eligible for Federal Title IV financial aid (valid 2019-2020 FAFSA on file, eligible to file a FAFSA, meeting Satisfactory Academic Progress requirements, resolved all requirements with the financial aid office).

Who is not eligible to receive a grant?

The following students are not eligible to receive a grant award:

• Dual Enrollment students
• Students taking all online courses as of March 13, 2020.
• DACA or ineligible for Title IV aid
• Third-party payers such as employers

When will the grants be distributed?

Ninety percent (90%) or $152,550 of the total student aid funding will be paid to eligible students enrolled during spring semester. The remaining ten percent (10%) or $16,618 of the total student aid funding will be reserved for emergency student funding for the 2020-2021 academic year for eligible students.

How will the college determine who is eligible to receive a grant award?

The college has queried the Student Information System (SIS) to determine student eligibility by having a FAFSA on file.

How many students are eligible for financial aid under Title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965?

Two hundred forty-four (244) students were eligible for these funds.

How much will I receive?

Spring semester students will receive $675.00. The amounts received for summer and fall semesters will depend upon how many eligible students we have in those semesters.

How will I receive my grant?

Nelnet/TMS is processing the payments. They will be processed in the same manner as other student refunds. There are currently two refund methods: 1) ACH direct deposit for students who have bank accounts setup to receive them or 2) paper checks will be sent to the rest.

Is this grant includable in my gross income for tax purposes?

No. This grant is not includible in your gross income. Also, because the emergency financial aid grant is not includible in your gross income, you cannot claim any deduction or credit for expenses paid with the grant including the tuition and fees deduction, the American Opportunity Credit, or the Lifetime Learning Credit. For more information, see: https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/faqs-higher-education-emergency-relief-fund-and-emergency-financial-aid-grants-under-the-cares-act.

Legal Details

• Eastern Shore  Community College signed and returned to the Department of Education the Certification and Agreement and intends to use 100 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 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 is $169,168.
• 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) is $152,550..
• 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 244.
• 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 226.
• 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 is the college has queried the Student Information System (SIS) to determine student eligibility by having a FAFSA on file.
• The following instructions, directions, or guidance were provided by the institution to students concerning the Emergency Financial Aid Grants: 

CARES ACT STUDENT AID AWARD NOTICE

Greetings from the Offices of Financial Aid and Student Financial Services at Eastern Shore Community College!

We are writing today to let you know that you will be receiving a disbursement of a relief grant funded by the CARES Act (Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act). The U.S. Department of Education allocated funds to each U.S. college to be made to students as cash grants.

Grants are intended to be used to assist with expenses incurred as a result of coronavirus-related campus closures, such as technology, food, housing, course materials, health care, and child care. We are distributing funds in accordance with guidance from the United States Department of Education.

There is no action required on your part to receive these funds. Funds will be issued to you in the method you have already chosen for refund in the ESCC Refund Portal.  If you have not selected a method, you will receive a mailed check. Students receiving a direct deposit can expect to receive it in approximately 4-6 business days. Mailed checks will arrive in approximately 10-14 days. Please be sure your current mailing address is correct in SIS if you are not enrolled in direct deposit.

Note that the Department of Education required that these grants be sent directly to students and not be directed to any unpaid tuition account balances. If you have an unpaid balance, we have not deducted that from this payment. However, you may use these funds to make a payment if you so choose.