The following resolution was passed by the NCCC board of Trustees on April 8, 2021.
Student HEERF Funds Revised Methodology - NCCC has received a second allocation from the federal Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund (HEERF), which has been drawn down from the US Department of Education. NCCC has some leeway in the methodology as to how the student grant dollars are to be given to current and future students to help with costs associated with adapting to the pandemic. These grant dollars do not factor into normal restrictions on Pell Grant maximums, either semester or lifetime, NJCAA rules (as they are open to all students), or other limitations. The money flows directly to the student, meaning that even if the student owes money to the college they will still get a grant if they qualify under the proposed methodology. The student can choose to use all or part of the money to pay their bill. Permission will be requested from students to use the money to pay their bill.
To qualify students must be eligible based on 7 categories of need (typically US citizen or eligible noncitizen, and who completed or could complete a FAFSA), and must be currently enrolled and a non-concurrent student. The college has one year to expend these funds. The plan will allocate 100% of the direct grant received by NCCC within the one-year time frame. Qualified students are being contacted and asked to complete a certification form.
The plan calls for the qualified students to receive funds based on the number of credit hours enrolled during spring 2021 and future semesters. However, changes may be made in the process, amount or procedure in future semesters due to amended guidance or change in methodology by NCCC. Based on the total number of credit hours taken by qualified students, the amount is estimated to be $40 per credit hour taken. The first batch of checks should be mailed by the spring 2021 semester. A letter with the check will explain the reason for this grant and how, according to the federal government, the student should spend the funds. The administration recommends that the Trustees award HEERF grant to qualifying students in the proposed method described above.
Resolution 2021-12 RESOLVED that the Board of Trustees of Neosho County Community College approves the HEERF Student Funds grant disbursement process.
- Neosho County Community College has signed and returned to the Department the Certification and Agreement and the assurance that the institution has used the applicable amount of funds designated under the CRRSAA and ARP (a)(1) and (a)(4) programs to provide Emergency Financial Aid Grants to Students.
- Neosho County Community College will receive $2,396,789 from the Department pursuant to the institution’s Certification and Agreement for Emergency Financial Aid Grants to Students under the CRRSAA and ARP (a)(1) and (a)(4) programs.
- Neosho County Community College has disbursed $537,369 to 793 students.
- The Estimated total number of students at the institution that are eligible to receive Emergency Financial Aid Grants to Students under the CRRSAA and ARP (a)(1) and (a)(4) programs is 1004.
- The total number of students who received an Emergency Financial Aid Grant to Students under the CRRSAA and ARP (a)(1) and (a)(4) programs is 793.
- The method used to determine which students qualify was they must be eligible based on 7 categories of need (typically US citizen or eligible noncitizen, and who completed or could complete a FAFSA), and must be currently enrolled and a non-concurrent student.
- As required by the U.S. Department of Education Public Quarterly Reporting Requirements Neosho County Community College has prepared the Quarterly Budget and Expenditure Report: 06-30-2021 NCCC HEERF Quarterly Reporting Form [PDF]