QCC recognizes the financial stresses our students face while pursuing their education. Limited Emergency Grant funds are available to assist students when these needs arise.

Options

Laptop/Computer or Educational Technology Needs

If you qualify for financial aid, you may use funds that exceed the charges on your student account to purchase educational technology.  Your financial aid award may include a federal student loan.  Discretionary grants are not typically awarded to assist with this cost due to limited funding.  If you are unable to pay out of pocket up front, you may request a Bookstore Allowance to be used at the QCC Follett Bookstore to complete your purchase.  Otherwise, you will receive any refund due to you via a check mailed starting mid-semester.

If you do not qualify for financial aid or are not eligible for funding that exceeds your charges, the College has a very limited number of laptops available to be loaned. Visit the Welcome Center and meet with one of the representatives to determine if you qualify, while laptops are available.

Students in the higher tech programs below can check with their program coordinators to ask if there are any laptops available to be loaned. 

  • Computer Information Systems
  • Computer Science
  • Computer Science Engineering Technology
  • Electronics Technology
  • Electronics Engineering
  • Engineering
  • Interactive Media
  • Manufacturing

QCC Emergency Assistance Grant

QCC Emergency Assistance Grant: Email emergencygrant@qcc.mass.edu from your student email account to inquire about funding availability. Be sure to include your QCC ID Number, a brief description of what you need funds for, and the amount you are requesting. The application has been taken off the website due to extremely limited funding remaining. We will notify you of next steps if it appears we have funding available that we can use to assist you. Please note that completing an application does not guaranty funding. See below for more details.

CARES Act Emergency Financial Aid Grants

The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act was signed into law on March 27, 2020. The CARES Act provided $14 billion to students and institutions across the U.S. to assist with expenses related to the disruption of campus operations due to COVID-19. See below for more details.

QCC Emergency Assistance Grant

Eligibility Criteria

You must:

  • have financial need, AND
  • be enrolled in and attending the current semester.

OR

  • have financial need, AND
  • be seeking assistance with a prior term balance that occurred within the past three years, if that balance interferes with your ability to continue your studies or to access institutional records needed to facilitate transfer or employment verification.

To maximize your eligibility, please submit a 2023-2024 FAFSA. The majority of the current funding available requires students to complete the FAFSA and meet all federal and state financial aid eligibility requirements for the semester in which they are receiving funding.

Funding is limited. Applying allows you to be considered, but does not guaranty funding. Eligible students will generally be awarded on a first-come, first-served basis. If awarded, we may not be able to meet your full financial need. The application may be closed or your request may be delayed or denied if funding is exhausted. 

Funding Sources

Students will be considered for assistance through the following emergency grant programs:

  1. QCC Foundation Grants - Limited funding is available through generous donations by and to the QCC Foundation. The QCC Foundation Emergency Grant maximum is $250. ***This source is exhausted as of 11/1/23. We are actively applying for grants and will update when we have additional resources.***
  2. MA Public College Emergency Grant - These funds are limited and require a completed FAFSA. Students must be eligible for federal and MA state financial aid funding to qualify for this grant. We do not yet have approval for or access to this funding for Fall 2023. We are waiting on the state to notify us.
  3. Other State or Institutional Grants - As available.

How to apply for Emergency Grant Assistance

Students must complete the QCC Application for Emergency Assistance Grants to request funding. The College will use the information provided to determine emergency grant eligibility and the amount of a grant. Please note that not all students will qualify and QCC may not be able to meet the full financial needs of all that do qualify. 

Requests will generally be reviewed within two weeks of their completed submission. Awarding of funds will be made on a case-by-case, “first-come, first served” basis. 

All information regarding your eligibility for emergency grant funding will be sent to your student email account, if you have one. Students who are not assigned a student email account will receive communication via the email account we have on record. Funds will be disbursed through your student account. In most cases, emergency grants awarded will be refunded directly to you. Institutional funds, state funds, and some Foundation funds may be applied to balances owed to the College by the student first at the College’s discretion. 

FAQS

How do I know if I have “exceptional financial need”?

You might have “exceptional financial need” if you any of the following are true:

  • You qualify for the Pell Grant when applying for federal financial aid
  • You have low income
  • You receive federal income-based benefits, such as Transitional Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) or Supplemental Nutritional Assistance (SNAP)
  • You have lost your job or had a reduction to your work hours
  • You are at risk of eviction from housing
  • You are unable to meet payment obligations for basic living expenses each month
  • You do not qualify for low income federal assistance programs (for reasons other than income)
    • This list is not exclusive. It is possible to have some of these circumstances and not feel you have an exceptional financial need, and similarly you may have circumstances not listed above that cause you to have exceptional financial need. If you are unsure, please email emergencygrant@qcc.mass.edufor assistance.

What type of expenses/financial needs are allowable for emergency funds?

  • Federal, state and institutional emergency grant funds are able to be used by students with exceptional financial need for any component of a student's Cost of Attendance (tuition and fees, books and supplies, food, housing, utilities, health care, child care, and other related costs) or emergency expenses. 
  • Emergency Grants for Tuition and Fee expenses will generally be considered for students with exceptional financial need who have exhausted all other avenues of funding. The majority of the funds currently available do require that the student meet federal and/or state financial aid requirements. If you are looking for assistance with your course costs, please email emergencygrant@qcc.mass.edufor assistance.

What if I have not filed the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)?

A FAFSA is not required to be considered for Foundation Emergency Grant funds, but we encourage you to apply to be considered for other financial assistance through federal and state programs. This is also the primary source of assistance for course-related costs for students who meet the eligibility criteria.

  • Students seeking funding for Fall 2023, Spring 2024 or Summer 2024 must complete the 2022-2023 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).
    • We strongly recommend that you use the FSA ID process to sign. If you are able, using the IRS Data Retrieval tool is the most accurate and efficient way to complete your FAFSA. The College will receive your FAFSA in 5-7 business days if you sign electronically.
    • If your income has changed since the year reported on each FAFSA, due to the pandemic or other extenuating circumstances, please contact the Financial Aid Office to discuss a reevaluation of your eligibility based on your 2023 or current income.
    • Please contact the Financial Aid Office at financialaid@qcc.mass.eduor call 508.854.4261 for questions regarding how to submit the FAFSA.

Who is eligible for the MA Public College Emergency Grant?

To qualify, you must:

  • be currently enrolled in classes (6+ credits)
  • be accepted to a Title IV eligible degree or certificate program at QCC
  • submit the 2023-2024 Free Application for Federal Student Aid
  • be a U.S. citizen or eligible non-citizen under Title IV regulations. Verification may be required.
  • be a permanent legal resident of Massachusetts for at least one year prior to the start of the academic year (prior to 9/1/2022 for the 2023-2024 academic year).
  • not be in default on any educational loan or in repayment of any educational grant.
  • be making progress toward a degree or certificate program according to the standards of Satisfactory Academic Progress.
  • have not earned a Bachelor's Degree

How much funding will I receive?

The College will use the information you provide on the QCC Application for Emergency Assistance Grants to determine your eligibility for and the amount of a grant. We will be limiting the maximum dollar amount awarded to each applicant based on the rules of the funds available and to try to assist as many students as possible. Please note that not all students will qualify and the College may not be able to meet the full financial needs of all that do qualify. 

Am I required to repay the funds I receive?

Generally, the funds received through this program do not need to be repaid. However, you may owe a balance if you withdraw from the semester if the funds you were awarded (either through traditional financial aid or the emergency grant process) are subject to the federal Return of Title IV Funds or State Refund calculations.

Will this funding reduce or change my financial aid award with QCC?

Emergency funds received from the QCC Foundation, MA Public College Emergency Grants, or the Institution are considered a resource for the student and must fit into a student’s financial aid award, if they have one. If you have already received a financial aid award that meets your financial aid need and/or your Cost of Attendance, we may be required to reduce other funds. QCC will reduce student loan funds before other grants when required. Because most emergency funds are refunded to the student regardless of any balance due, in rare cases, required adjustments can create a balance due to the College. You will receive a revised award letter any time a change is made to your Financial Aid Award. 

Can I apply for funding for more than one semester?

Yes, students can apply if they continue to experience financial hardships while QCC has available funding. Priority may be given to students asking for funding for the first time when funds begin to run low. 

Are there deadlines to obtain emergency grant funding?

The application will remain open while funds are available. Applying allows you to be considered, but does not guaranty funding. Eligible students will generally be awarded on a first-come, first-served basis. If awarded, we may not be able to meet your full financial need. The application may be closed or your request may be denied if funding is exhausted.

What additional resources are available to me if I need access to food and other services?

Visit the HomePlate Food Pantry and Resource Center. We encourage all students to review the resources available to support their enrollment.

Who should I contact if I have questions about completing the QCC Emergency Assistance Grant application?

Please contact us at emergencygrant@qcc.mass.edu for questions regarding how to submit the application.

What if I need help with my bill or need more funding than what is provided?

  • If you have not already done so, you may still submit a 2023-2024 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)to be considered for financial aid for the Fall 2023, Spring 2024, and/or Summer 2024 semesters.
  • Be sure to select QCCto receive your application electronically. Eligibility criteria do apply, and additional information may be needed to determine your eligibility. Please reply to all requests for additional information by QCCIf your income has changed due to the pandemic or other extenuating circumstances, please contact the Financial Aid Office to discuss a reevaluation of your eligibility based on your 2023 or current income.
  • Please contact the Financial Aid Office at financialaid@qcc.mass.eduor call 508.854.4261 for questions regarding how to submit the FAFSA and financial aid eligibility.

Who is eligible for QCC Foundation and Institutional emergency funds?

QCC will prioritize QCC Foundation Emergency Grant assistance to students who:

  • are actively enrolled in a degree or certificate program for the Fall 2023 semester, OR
  • actively participating in programming through the QCC Center for Workforce Development and Continuing Education or the QCC Adult Community Learning Center
    • Institutional grant resources will be considered, when available, in the same manner. Limited institutional grant resources are mainly available as part of the financial aid process.

CARES Act Higher Education Emergency Relief Grants to Students

Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund Financial Aid Grants Disclosure

The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act was signed into law on March 27, 2020. The CARES Act provided $14 billion to students and institutions across the U.S. to assist with expenses related to the disruption of campus operations due to COVID-19.

Quinsigamond Community College has signed and returned the Certification and Agreement to the Department of Education. We intend to use no less than 50 percent of the funds received under Section 18004(a)(1) of the CARES Act to provide Emergency Financial Aid Grants to Students, and have received a total of $2,652,173 to be used for this purpose ($2,414,181 in the original Section 18004(a)(1) allocation and an additional $237,992 received under Section 18004(a)(2) because we are eligible under Title III). The College added $3,346 to the Student Grant allocation from the CARES Act Institutional Relief Funds.

Under the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2021 (CRRSAA), Quinsigamond received an additional $2,847,122 to be used to provide Emergency Financial Aid Grants to students($2,414,181 in the original Section 18004(a)(1) allocation and an additional $432,941 received under Section 18004(a)(2) because we are eligible under Title III). The College will add an additional $1,329,076 to the HEERF Student Grant appropriations from the HEERF Institutional Relief Funds awarded under the CRRSAA.

Under the American Rescue Plan Act, 2021 (ARP), Quinsigamond received an additional $10,128,693 to support Higher Education Emergency Relief Grants for Students ($9,337,795 in the original Section 18004(a)(1) allocation and an additional $790,898 received under Section 18004(a)(2) because we are eligible under Title III). The College intends to use these funds to provide Emergency Financial Aid Grants to students. The College added an additional $116,180 to the HEERF Student Grant appropriations from the HEERF Institutional Relief Funds awarded under the ARPA.

Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund (HEERF) Grants to Students

Funds Expended As of 9/30/23:

  • 3,779 students have been awarded CARES Act Federal Emergency Financial Aid Grants to Students
  • $2,655,519 in CARES Act Federal Emergency Financial Aid Grants to Students have been distributed
  • 3,030 students have been awarded CRRSAA Act Federal Emergency Financial Aid Grants to Students
  • $4,176,198 in CRRSAA Federal Emergency Financial Aid Grants to Students have been distributed
  • 4,103 students have been awarded ARPA Federal Emergency Financial Aid Grants to Students
  • $10,244,773 in ARP Federal Emergency Financial Aid Grants to Students have been distributed
  • Federal Student HEERF Grant funds were exhausted as of 12/31/21 but funding was recovered through uncashed checks. The quarterly figures below are updated to exclude these returns. The funds are again exhausted as of 9/30/23.

QCC estimates that up to 19,320 students enrolled between Spring 2020 and Fall 2022 may qualify for emergency grants.

CARES Act Emergency Funding

Time PeriodTotal # of Students Awarded FundsHEERF Funding Spent# of Students Awarded Funds Under 18004(a)(1)HEERF Funding Spent Under 18004(a)(1)# of Students Awarded Funds Under 18004(a)(2)HEERF Funding Spent Under 18004(a)(2)
5/13/20 - 9/30/203,505$2,118,2533,505$2,118,2530$0
10/16/20 - 12/31/20565$445,743308$208,579315$237,164
1/1/21 - 3/31/21183$89,925183$89,9250$0
4/1/21 - 6/30/220$0    
7/1/22 - 9/30/223$1,5981$7702$828

CRRSAA Emergency Funding

Time PeriodTotal # of Students Awarded FundsHEERF Funding Spent# of Students Awarded Funds Under 18004(a)(1)HEERF Funding Spent Under 18004(a)(1)# of Students Awarded Funds Under 18004(a)(2)HEERF Funding Spent Under 18004(a)(2)
1/1/21 - 3/31/212,897$3,003,3712,822$2,690,537199$312,834
4/1/21 - 6/30/21811$1,172,035740$1,051,93191$120,104
7/1/21 - 6/30/22 0$0    
7/1/22 - 9/30/223$7922$7891$3

ARP Emergency Funding

Time PeriodTotal # of Students Awarded FundsHEERF Funding Spent# of Students Awarded Funds Under 18004(a)(1)HEERF Funding Spent Under 18004(a)(1)# of Students Awarded Funds Under 18004(a)(2)HEERF Funding Spent Under 18004(a)(2)
4/1/21 - 6/30/210$0    
7/1/21 - 9/30/212,491$6,592,2242,491$6,592,224  
10/1/21 - 12/31/212,834$3,615,5322,706$2,825,734335$789,798
1/1/22 - 3/31/220$0    
4/1/22 - 6/30/220$0    
7/1/22 - 9/30/2218$29,26717$28,1672$1,100
10/1/22 - 12/31/221$2001$200  
1/1/23 - 3/31/234$2,7504$2,750  
4/1/23 - 6/30/230$0    
7/1/23 - 9/30/232$4,7702$4,770  

CARES Act Emergency Financial Aid Grants

Who is eligible to receive CARES Act Emergency Financial Aid Grants?

For Fall 2020 and Spring 2021 - Students must have been actively enrolled (registered and attending/participating) for the semester they are requesting funding. They must be accepted to the College in a for-credit degree or certificate program. For retroactive Spring 2020 funding, students must have completed the term.

For Spring 2020 and Summer 2020 - Applicants must meet the criteria to participate in Federal Financial Aid programs under Section 484 in Title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965, as amended (HEA), to be considered for federal emergency grants. The criteria to participate include but are not limited to the following:

  • Admission to an eligible degree or certificate program at QCC;
  • A valid Social Security number;
  • U.S. citizenship or eligible noncitizen status;
  • Registration with Selective Service (if the student is male);
  • A high school diploma, GED, or completion of high school in an approved homeschool setting; and
  • Meet the standards for QCC’s Satisfactory Academic Progress policy

***The Commonwealth of Massachusetts was granted an injunction in September and is no longer required to restrict eligibility for CARES Act funding to Title IV eligible students while that injunction is in effect. For Fall 2020 and Spring 2021, while the injunction is in effect and funding remains, the College will not enforce Title IV requirements. However, students must be matriculated into a degree or certificate program for the semester they are seeking funding or participating in eligible programming at the Center for Workforce Development to be considered. All Title IV requirements have now been lifted for subsequent HEERF funding.

Students can demonstrate eligibility through filing a FAFSA***.

***The FAFSA is no longer required beginning with Fall 2020 emergency grant applications due to an injunction granted to the Commonwealth of Massachusetts in September.

For Spring 2020 through Fall 2020, students must not be enrolled in Online Only programs* as of Spring 2020. NOTE: QCC does not accept students to "Online Only Programs".Students can choose coursework that meets their needs with alternating modality to meet any of our program requirements. 

At QCC, we define these as students who:

  • Are enrolled only in one of the following majors: BAC, BB, BT, CAS, ENS, EPCA, GS, and LEC (the majors capable of completion fully via online coursework), AND
  • Who have never taken a ground-based course at QCC.
  • Eligibility will be restricted in Spring 2020 and going forward only for those students enrolled in Spring 2020 who meet this criteria. While campus restrictions are in effect due to COVID, students in future terms (currently Summer 2020 and Fall 2020) are not being given the option of in person coursework. The course sections they may register for are no longer indicative of their intended or preferred modality.

For funding from the CARES Act 18004(a)(1) allocation, applicants must have expenses related to the disruption of QCC operations due to COVID-19. The disruption to QCC’s campus operations due to COVID-19 include, but may not be limited to:

  • the change from a physical classroom experience to remote instruction,
  • the change to providing support services remotely, and
  • the limitations on usage of campus resources

Based on the requirements in place at the time of awarding each term, QCC estimates the number of students who may be eligible for HEERF Emergency Financial Aid Grants to students as approximately:

  • 4,040 students in Spring 2020 
  • 1,595 students in Summer 2020
  • 5,921 students in Fall 2020 

How Is Eligibility Determined for CARES Act Emergency Financial Aid Grants?

There are two methods the College intends to use to distribute CARES Act Emergency Funds- Block Grants and Application-based funding.

Block Grants 

  • For Spring 2020 -
    • $270 per eligible student who was enrolled in at least one on ground course for-credit in SP20. ($120 for increase in utilities due to not being allowed to use campus facilities and $150 for obtaining/upgrading/maintaining internet service.)
    • Students who received a QCC Foundation Emergency Grant (QCFE) for Internet and/or Utilities Only will receive the difference between the $270 and the QCFE they received
    • Prior to disbursement, students will be required to confirm via the student portal that they have these expenses related to the disruption of campus operations related to COVID-19.Students will have until July 6 to complete the acknowledgment.Students who do not complete the acknowledgment will be assumed to have not had expenses related to the disruption of campus operations due to coronavirus, and the block grant will be canceled

Application Process

  • Students must complete the QCC Application for Emergency Assistance Grants to request funding. Students who may qualify for funding through the CARES Act will also be required to complete the appropriate year FAFSA to establish eligibility. (The FAFSA was no longer required effective Fall 2020 due to an injunction granted to the Commonwealth of Massachusetts regarding Title IV eligibility requirements, including citizenship.)
  • Requests will generally be reviewed within 15 business days from their completed submission.
  • Awarding of funds through Section 18004(a)(1) will generally be made on a case-by-case, “first-come, first served” basis. "First-come, first-served" is based on complete applications for which all information to base a decision is available when processed.
  • Using original CARES Act Section 18004(a)(1) funding, students may receive up to $500 one time if a laptop/computer is marked as an eligible expense; and up to $500 per semester for all other eligible expenses. Laptop funding is not provided if the student is given a College-issued laptop or funded for a laptop through Foundation funding, except in exceptional circumstances. 
  • For the Fall 2020 semester, Section 18004(a)(2) funding will be distributed alongside Emergency SEOG and Governor's Emergency Education Relief (GEER) funding for Fall 2020 students to supplement any 18004(a)(1) awards received, according to the formula below and up to the total amount of emergency funds requested:
    • Base Award = $200, plus
    • Family Size: $70 x # in household, plus, plus
    • Food Pantry Use = $50 x # in household, plus
    • Job Loss/Reduction in Hours = $150, plus
    • EFC Range
      • 0 EFC = $200
        1-2499 EFC = $150
        2500-5711 EFC) = $100
    • Total from above multiplied by Enrollment Level Factor:
      • < 6 credits = 0.9
        6-8 credits = 1.0
        9-11 credits = 1.1
        12+ credits = 1.2
  • Students are encouraged to consider all of their financial needs to minimize the number of applications submitted; students applicants can apply more than once. Additional applications will only be considered if the student has not received the maximum award amounts.
  • Student must apply by the following deadlines:
    • Spring 2020 – By July 10
    • Summer 2020 – By August 14
    • Fall 2020 – By December 1, extended to December 22 for consideration of HEERF funding still available under 18004(a)(1)

All information regarding eligibility for emergency grant funding will be sent to students’ email accounts. All CARES Act Emergency Funds will be disbursed through the student’s account; however they will be refunded directly to the student regardless of any balance they may owe to the College. Effective with the CRRSAA, student charges may be paid directly using student grant funding only if the student has provided written (or electronic) consent. 

CRRSAA Emergency Financial Aid Grants

Who is eligible to receive CRRSAA Emergency Financial Aid Grants?

Students must show exceptional financial need to qualify for grants that they may use to assist them with any component of their Cost of Attendance (tuition, fees, books and supplies, housing, grocery, child care, transportation, and other expenses) or for emergency costs that arise due to coronavirus (such as the costs above, health care, or other related expenses)

***The Commonwealth of Massachusetts was granted an injunction in September 2020 and is not required to restrict eligibility for CARES Act funding to Title IV eligible students or eligible citizens or CRRSAA funding based on citizenship status while that injunction is in effect. While the injunction is in effect and funding remains, the College will not enforce citizenship requirements. 

***Unused HEERF II funds were converted to ARPA HEERF III eligibility rules on 3/11/21.

Students can demonstrate eligibility through filing a FAFSA (for Institutional Awards) or by submitting the QCC Emergency Assistance Grant application.

Based on the requirements in place at the time of awarding each term, QCC estimates that approximately:

  • 5,112 students in Spring 2021 may qualify for CRRSAA Emergency Financial Aid Grants for Students.

How Is Eligibility Determined for CRRSAA Emergency Financial Aid Grants?

There are two methods the College intends to use to distribute CRRSAA Emergency Student Grant Funds- Institutional Awards and Application-based funding.

Institutional Awards

  • For Spring 2021, students who were registered, enrolled in a degree or certificate program, and who had a 2020-2021 FAFSA on file with the QCC Financial Aid Office as of March 3, 2021 and who had a calculated Pell Grant eligible EFC (0 to 5712) on that date were considered to have "exceptional financial need".
  • Individual Institutional Awards were determined using weighting by individual based on:
    • Dependency Status – Indirect Costs (Room, Board, Transportation, Misc.)
      • Independent Students = $6,077
      • Dependent Students = $3,114
    • Pell EFC Ranges (Proportion of Indirect Costs above considering coverage)
      • EFC = 0 15%
      • EFC 1-2500 10%
      • EFC 2051-5712 5%
    • Household Size – $45 x # in household = Household Size Base Award
    • 1 Parent vs. 2 Parent Household
      • 1 Parent = Household Size Base Award x 1.25
      • 2 Parent = Household Size Base Award x 1
    • Enrollment Status Multiplier
      • Full-Time = x 1.2
      • Three-Quarter Time = x 1.0
      • Half-Time = x 0.75
      • Less Than Half-Time = x 0.5
  • Any calculated award below $200 is brought up to $200.
  • Example Calculation (Independent, 0 EFC, with 4 in household, Single Parent Household, Reg 12 credits):
    • $6,077 x .15 = 912
    • 4x $45 = $180 x 1.25 = $225
    • $912 + $225 = $1,137 x 1.2 = $1,364 (rounded).
  • Awards were determined one time only based on the FAFSA information available on March 3, 2021.

Application Process

  • Students must complete the QCC Application for Emergency Assistance Grants to request funding. The application was updated on March 1, 2021 to better meet the requirements of the CRRSAA funding eligibility. The previous application for Spring 2021 was accepted and processed for grant eligibility through March 2, 2021.
  • Students will need to demonstrate "exceptional financial need". This may be done using a Pell eligible EFC on the FAFSA, answering "Yes" to having Reduced Hours, Job Loss, Out of Pocket Medical, or Housing Insecurity, or if the student is Suspended from receiving financial aid, or otherwise ineligible for federal/state financial aid. On the new application, the student will also be asked to explain their Exceptional Financial Need, which may be used in lieu of the other items to confirm eligibility.
  • Requests will generally be reviewed within 10 to 15 business days from their completed submission.

  • For CRRSAA Section 18004(a)(1) and 18004(a)(2) funding, eligible students may receive up to $4,000 in the Spring semester. Laptop funding is not provided if the student is given a College-issued laptop or funded for a laptop through Foundation funding, except in exceptional circumstances. Funding will be distributed alongside Emergency SEOG and Governor's Emergency Education Relief (GEER) funding. The maximum will generally be applied to all emergency grant funding sources, though exceptions may be made on a case-by-case basis.

    Awarding of funds through Section 18004(a)(1) and 18004(a)(2) will generally be made on a case-by-case, “first-come, first served” basis. "First-come, first-served" is based on complete applications for which all information to base a decision is available when processed.

  • Students may apply once per semester. Additional applications will only be considered if the student has not received the maximum award amounts.
  • Student must apply by the following deadlines:
    • Spring 2021 - By May 1, extended to May 11

All information regarding eligibility for emergency grant funding will be sent to students’ email accounts. All CARES Act Emergency Funds will be disbursed through the student’s account; however they will be refunded directly to the student regardless of any balance they may owe to the College. Effective with the CRRSAA, student charges may be paid directly using student grant funding only if the student has provided written (or electronic) consent. 

ARPA Emergency Financial Aid Grants

Who is eligible to receive ARPA Emergency Financial Aid Grants?

To qualify for HEERF Grants under ARPA, students must:

  1. have been enrolled (registered and attending/participating) on or after March 13, 2020, AND 
  2. have exceptional financial need

Students may use these grants to assist them with any component of their Cost of Attendance (tuition, fees, books and supplies, housing, grocery, child care, transportation, and other expenses) or for emergency costs that arise due to coronavirus (such as the costs above, health care, or other related expenses)

Students can demonstrate eligibility through filing a FAFSA (for Institutional Awards) or by submitting the QCC Emergency Assistance Grant application.

QCC estimates that approximately 16,207 for-credit students meet the enrollment criteria for HEERF Funding approved through ARPA (SP20 through SP22 enrollment). Approximately 391 non-credit students meet the enrollment criteria for HEERF Funding.

How Is Eligibility Determined for ARPA Emergency Financial Aid Grants?

QCC continues to assess its intended processes based on updates to federal guidance and changes in campus operations associated with the pandemic. As such, the information below many change.

There are two methods the College intends to use to distribute CRRSAA Emergency Student Grant Funds- Institutional Awards and Application-based funding.

Institutional Awards

Pending available funding each term, for Summer I 2021, Summer II 2021, and Fall 2021, students who are enrolled and in those semesters and who have a 2020-2021 FAFSA on file with the QCC Financial Aid Office with a calculated Pell Grant eligible EFC (0 to 5712 for the 20-21 Award Year, 0 to 5846 for the 21-22 Award Year) will be considered to have "exceptional financial need".

Individual Institutional Awards are intended to be determined using weighting by individual based on:

  • Dependency Status – Indirect Costs (Room, Board, Transportation, Misc. for Summer 2021/ Room and Board Only for Fall 2021)
    • Independent Students = $6,077 for Summer 2021/ $4,769 for Fall 2021
    • Dependent Students = $3,114 for Summer 2021/ $1,738 for Summer 2021
  • Pell EFC Ranges (Proportion of Indirect Costs above considering coverage)
    • EFC = 0 15%
    • EFC 1-2500 10%
    • EFC 2051-5712 5%
  • Household Size – $45 x # in household = Household Size Base Award
  • 1 Parent vs. 2 Parent Household
    • 1 Parent = Household Size Base Award x 1.25
    • 2 Parent = Household Size Base Award x 1
  • Enrollment Status Multiplier
    • Full-Time = x 1.2
    • Three-Quarter Time = x 1.0
    • Half-Time = x 1.75
    • Less Than Half-Time = x 0.5
  • Any calculated award below $200 is brought up to $200, unless limited by the maximum.
  • Example Calculation (Independent, 0 EFC, with 4 in household, Single Parent Household, Reg 12 credits):
    • $6,077 x .15 = 912
    • 4x $45 = $180 x 1.25 = $225
    • $912 + $225 = $1,137 x 1.2 = $1,364 (rounded).

Awards will be determined one time only after add/drop has ended based on the FAFSA information available on that date. The intended formula may be adjusted each term to stay within the funding allocation. If that occurs, this page will be updated.

For ARPA Section 18004(a)(1) and Section 18004(a)(2) funding, eligible students may receive up to $7,000 per student in HEERF Student Grant funds cumulatively (from CARES, CRRSAA, and ARPA as awarded Spring 2020 through present, if multiple grants were received). 

Application Process

  • Students must complete the QCC Application for Emergency Assistance Grants to request funding. The application was updated on June 30, 2021 to better meet the requirements of the ARPA funding eligibility. 
  • For assistance with Tuition and fees, the QCC Application for Emergency Assistance Grants for Tuition and Fees must be completed to request funding.
  • Students will need to certify "exceptional financial need". This may be done on the application through self-certification by the student.
  • Requests will generally be reviewed within 10 to 15 business days from their completed submission.
  • For ARPA Section 18004(a)(1) and Section 18004(a)(2) funding, eligible students may receive up to $7,000 per student in HEERF Student Grant funds cumulatively (awarded Spring 2020 through present, if multiple grants were received). 
  • Awarding of funds through Section 18004(a)(1) and Section 18004(a)(2) will generally be made on a case-by-case, “first-come, first served” basis. "First-come, first-served" is based on complete applications for which all information to base a decision is available when processed.
  • Additional applications will be considered if the student has not received the maximum award amounts.
  • The application will remain open until funds are exhausted.
  • All information regarding eligibility for emergency grant funding will be sent to students’ email accounts,unless the student does not have a student email account. All CARES Act Emergency Funds will be disbursed through the student’s account; however they will be refunded directly to the student regardless of any balance they may owe to the College. Student charges may be paid directly using student grant funding only if the student has provided written (or electronic) consent. 

Instructions, Directions or Guidance provided by the institution to students concerning the Emergency Financial Aid Grants

Quinsigamond Community College is still finalizing its full communications plan. QCC’s current communication plan includes:

Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund (HEERF) Institutional Relief Funds

QCC received Institutional Relief for "costs associated with the significant delivery of instruction due to the coronavirus."