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All Funds Expended – 10/28/2020

Brunswick Community College (BCC) received a Higher Education Emergency Relief Funds (HEERF) grant created under the Coronavirus Aid Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act to support students and institutional expenses related to the coronavirus COVID-19 pandemic. The student funding portion of this grant is for the sole purpose of providing emergency financial aid grants to students for expenses related to the disruption of campus operations due to the coronavirus.

• BCC signed and returned to the Department of Education the Certification and Agreement dated April 30, 2020 assuring that the College has used, or intends to use, no less than 50 percent (50%) of the funds received under Section 18004(a)(1) of the CARES Act to provide Emergency Financial Aid Grants to our students. As of October 28, 2020, the College has drawn down and disbursed to students $397,670 of the total funds allocated.
• The total amount of funds that the College will receive or has received from the Department of Education pursuant to our Certification and Agreement for Emergency Financial Aid Grants to students is $397,670.
• 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 is $399,500.
• The estimated total number of students who are or could be eligible to participate: 530
• Total number of students who have received an Emergency Aid Grant: 231

Are you eligible?

To be eligible at this time, a student must have met all of the following:

• completed a 2019-2020 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA;
• enrolled in a Title IV eligible program;
• as of March 13, 2020 you were attending at least one face-to-face class that transitioned online (full-term or second eight weeks);
• you remained enrolled throughout the Spring 2020 semester;
• as of the end of the Spring 2020 semester, you continued to meet satisfactory academic progress towards completing an academic credential; and
• you enrolled in Summer/Fall 2020 classes.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQS)

What are CARES Act Funds? The Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund (HEERF) provided $6 billion to colleges nationwide for emergency student financial aid to be distributed to enrolled students who submit a FAFSA and have expenses related to campus disruption due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The CARES allocation will help BCC students with financial burdens caused by the COVID-19 crisis and assist with the costs of attending college. BCC will distribute $397,670, the amount designated to BCC for Student Emergency Grant, awarding a one-time grant to eligible students.

Who is eligible? The CARES Act Emergency Aid Fund provides emergency financial aid grants to students for expenses related to the disruption of campus operations due to coronavirus. If you have such COVID-19 related expenses, were enrolled in a seated, face-to-face class of March 13, 2020, that transitioned to online, you filed a 2019-2020 FAFSA, and met federal financial aid eligibility requirements, you may be eligible. 

How did BCC decide the award amounts for CARES Act Emergency Grants? The college uses a formula approach based on the number of students who transitioned to online courses and the credit hours students were enrolled. 

How do I apply? BCC is working hard to contact all eligible students by email. If you are eligible for a CARES Act Emergency Grant, you will receive an email from BCC’s Financial Aid office in the month of June with additional instructions. In order to receive funding, you must timely return the application and any other required documentation to the Financial Aid office. Priority for awarding funds will be to those students already eligible. In the meantime, verify your contact information by logging on to your Self-Service account to assure BCC has your current phone number and mailing address. <p>

Do I have to complete a FAFSA to receive a CARES Act Emergency Grant? Yes. Can I still complete a FAFSA if I have not already done so? Yes. Complete your FAFSA as soon as possible so you may be considered for a CARES Act Emergency Grant and other aid. For the summer 2020 enrollment, you need to complete the 2019-20 FAFSA no later than June 30. For the fall 2020 enrollment, complete the 2020-2021 FAFSA. If you need assistance completing your FAFSA, contact a financial aid counselor at bccfinancialaid@brunswickcc.edu <p>

How much money can I get? BCC awards will be one-time awards based on the student’s hours of enrollment during Spring 2020: Credit Hours Student Aid Payment 1-5 $ 500 6-8 $1,000 9-11 $1,500 12+ $2,000

How do I receive my money? Funds will be released directly to you via a check and will not be used to pay any amount owed to BCC.

How can I use my CARES Act Emergency Grant? How you use your CARES Act Emergency Grant is your choice. Consider using these funds to pay for your expenses related to the disruption of campus operations due to the coronavirus (including expenses related to your cost of attendance, such as food, housing, course materials, technology, healthcare, and child care). BCC will not require you to submit receipts or other documentation on how you spend your funds.

What if I owe a balance to BCC for tuition or other expenses? You can still be eligible to receive a CARES Act Emergency Grant if you owe a balance to BCC. The college will not deduct any fees from your CARES Act Emergency Grant. However, any outstanding balances on your account must be paid prior to enrolling in future courses.

Will a CARES Act emergency grant negatively affect my financial aid for this year or next year? No. This grant will not be used in calculating your current or future financial aid awards. What if I have other questions? Contact a financial aid counselor at bccfinancialaid@brunswickcc.edu.