INFORMATION AS OF APRIL 7, 2021

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 2021 term as of March 29, 2021
• 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
• DACA or ineligible for Title IV aid
• Third-party payers such as employers

When will the grants be distributed?

Ninety-nine percent (99%) or $167,990 of the total student aid funding will be paid to eligible students enrolled during spring semester.

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?

Three hundred fifteen (315) students were eligible for these funds.

How much will I receive?

Spring semester students will receive $785.00. 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 CRRSAA as of the date of submission (i.e., as of the 30-day Report and every 45 days thereafter) is $167,990..
• 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 CRRSAA is 315.
• The total number of students who have received an Emergency Financial Aid Grant to students under Section 18004(a)(1) of CRRSAA is 214.
• 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 CRRSAA 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

I am writing today to let you know that you will be receiving a disbursement as part of the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act (CRRSAA) called the Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund II (HEERF II). As part of the relief bill the U.S. Department of Education allocated funds to colleges to be given to students as cash grants.

Grants are intended to be used to assist with expenses incurred as a result of coronavirus-related campus closures and moving our courses to distance delivery. These could include technology, food, housing, course materials, health care, and childcare. 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 refunds 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 within approximately two weeks. Mailed checks will arrive in approximately three weeks. Please be sure your current mailing address is correct in SIS if you are not enrolled in direct deposit.

Note that if you have an unpaid balance at ESCC, we have not deducted that from this payment. However, you may use these funds to make a payment.

If you are concerned about tax implications in receiving these funds the IRS provided some guidance in a recently published FAQ document found here: https://askregs.nasfaa.org/article/34835/are-emergency-fseog-and-higher-education-emergency-relief-fund-grants-to-students-taxable-income

If you have questions, please feel free to contact the Financial Aid Office at cread@es.vccs.edu.