CARES Act

On March 27, 2020, the President of the United States signed the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act into law. The CARES Act contains a provision for a Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund (HEERF). Institutions of higher education that receive HEERF funds agree to use at least 50% of their allocation to "provide students with emergency financial aid grants to help cover expenses related to the disruption of campus operations due to coronavirus." Virginia Peninsula Community College has received CARES Act funds in the amount of $1,926,985.00 to provide Higher Education Emergency Financial Aid Grants to students under Section 18004 (a)(1) of the CARES Act.

On May 15, 2020, Virginia Peninsula distributed $1,926,985, the amount designated to Virginia Peninsula for Student Emergency Grants.

1,780 students were awarded one-time grants in the range of $1,000-$1,100.

On January 17, 2021, Virginia Peninsula received HEERF 2 (CRRSAA) funds in the amount of $1,926,985 for Student Emergency Grants.

On April 14, 2021, Virginia Peninsula distributed $1,926,985, the amount designated to Virginia Peninsula for HERRF 2, for Student Emergency Grants.

1,815 students were awarded one-time grants in the range of $1,061-$1,071.

On May 14, 2021, Virginia Peninsula received HEERF 3 (ARP) funds in the amount of $7,808,520 for Student Emergency Grants.

On August 18, 2021, Virginia Peninsula distributed $801,200 of HEERF 3 funds for Student Emergency Grants, including $10,000 of HEERF 3 Institutional Funds. Additional distributions will take place in Fall 2021 and Spring 2022 to deplete the remaining funds.

2,812 students were awarded one-time grants in the range of $200-$600.

On December 21, 2021 Virginia Peninsula began distributing $4,350,600 of HEERF 3 funds for Student Emergency Grants. Additional distributions will take place in Spring 2022 to deplete the remaining funds.

4,522 students were awarded one-time grants in the range of $450-$1,800.

On June 1, 2022, Virginia Peninsula began distributed $2,990,050 of HEERF 3 funds for Student Emergency Grants including $333,330 of HEERF 3 Institutional Funds.

4,242 students were awarded one-time grants in the range of $325-$1,500.

This concludes the emergency student aid grant funding resources received by Virginia Peninsula Community College. No further awards are planned unless additional funds are received through a new federal act.

Grants were awarded for "the sole and exclusive purpose of providing emergency financial aid grants to students for their expenses related to the disruption of campus operations due to coronaviruses, such as tuition, food, housing, course materials, technology, health care, and childcare expenses."

Information for students, posted on the U.S. Department of Education CARES Act website states:

The CARES Act Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund-IHE/Student Aid provides funding to institutions to provide emergency financial aid grants to students whose lives have been disrupted, many of whom face economic challenges and struggle to make ends meet. Students cannot apply for assistance directly from the U.S. Department of Education but should contact their institutions for further information and guidance. Institutions are responsible for determining how grants will be distributed to students, how the amount of each student grant is calculated, and the development of any instructions or directions provided to students about the grant. (Source U.S. Department of Education, For more information, visit the DOE site: CARES Act: Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund).

What is the purpose of the Emergency Grant Aid?
These CARES Act funds were designated by the Secretary of the Department of Education, to be used by students "to cover expenses related to the disruption of campus operations due to coronavirus (including eligible expenses under a student's cost of attendance, such as tuition, food, housing, course materials, technology, health care, and child care)."

Who is eligible for the HEERF 1 (Cares Act) Emergency Grant Aid?
Students who may be eligible for grant aid include those who were:

Enrolled in at least six (6) financial aid-eligible credits in the Spring 2020 semester before March 13, 2020, and
Enrolled in at least one face-to-face course, and
Were Title IV funds-eligible based on information provided on the FAFSA

Who is eligible for the HEERF 2 & 3 (CRRSAA & ARP) Emergency Grant Aid?
Students who may be eligible for grant aid include those who were:
• Enrolled in a Virginia Peninsula course on or after March 13, 2020,

What is the process for determining who receives HEERF 1 (Cares Act) Emergency Grant Aid?
In an effort to distribute the CARES Act Emergency Grant Aid to students, Virginia Peninsula had to use specific eligibility requirements to support as many students as possible and those with the greatest identifiable financial need. In addition to the basic eligibility requirements, the process for determining which students receive a grant, and the amount of each grant award, take into consideration:

demonstrated financial need, and
students' independent or dependent status, and
the U.S. Department of Education formula for allocation, in that a larger percentage of each college's allocation was based on Pell-recipient enrollment

This process for determining who receives Emergency Grant Aid is managed by Virginia Peninsula's Office of Financial Aid.

What is the method for determining who receives HEERF 2 (CRRSAA) Emergency Grant Aid?
In an effort to distribute the HEERF 2 Emergency Grant Aid to students, Virginia Peninsula used specific eligibility requirements and was required to prioritize those with the greatest identifiable financial need. In addition to the essential eligibility requirement, the process for determining which students receive a grant, and the amount of each grant award, take into consideration:

demonstrated financial need, and
students' independent or dependent status, and
the U.S. Department of Education formula for allocation, in that a larger percentage of each college's allocation was based on Pell-recipient enrollment

What is the process for determining who receives HEERF 3 (ARP) Emergency Grant Aid?
While HEERF 3 Emergency Grant Aid to students is being distributed to nearly all students, Virginia Peninsula uses specific eligibility requirements to prioritize those with the greatest identifiable financial need, as was required by the Act. In addition to the essential eligibility requirement, the process for determining student grant amounts takes into consideration:

demonstrated financial need
Enrollment status (full-time, part-time)

The process for determining who receives Emergency Grant Aid and award amounts is managed by Virginia Peninsula's Office of Financial Aid.

How will I know if I am getting Emergency Grant Aid?
Funds will be sent automatically to each student who receives a grant, either by Direct Deposit, if that is already set up, or a paper check to the Mailing Address of record. Students who receive a grant will be notified in their Message Center in SIS.

Who decides if I get Emergency Grant Aid?
Eligibility has been determined based on criteria provided by the Department of Education and Virginia Peninsula's Financial Aid Office.

How can I use the Emergency Grant Aid?
All students receiving CARES Act cash grants are advised to prioritize using these funds to cover expenses related to the campus disruption made necessary by the COVID-19 emergency. Eligible expenses include those associated with your college attendance cost, including tuition, food, housing, course materials, technology, health care, and childcare expenses.

Will these funds be taxed?
Students are advised that receipt of these grants may have tax implications. The IRS has issued an FAQ with regard to the HEERF and Emergency Financial Aid Grants under the CARES Act. Students are advised to review this information, and if you have questions, consult a tax professional.

CARES ACT Reports