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QCC Emergency Assistance Grants

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QCC recognizes the financial stresses our students are facing due to the COVID-19 crisis.  Emergency grant funds are available to assist students with their financial needs related to the pandemic:

  • Fall 2021 Course Expenses:  Apply for Financial Aid. 
    • If your income has changed from 2019 (the income year reported on the 2021-2022 Free Application for Federal Student Aid, you may request a reevaluation of your financial aid eligibility for 2021-2022. 
    • If you are not able to apply for or qualify for financial aid (including student loans), please email emergencygrant [at] qcc.mass.edu for assistance.

       Contact the Financial Aid Office if you need assistance with applying for financial aid or requesting a reevaluation of your eligibility.

  • College Laptop:  If you are unable to purchase a laptop for your course(s) and would like the College to send you one, please email emergencygrant [at] qcc.mass.edu. Include your QCC ID Number, Name, Shipping Address, and Phone #.  The College will ship a laptop for you to keep (paid for through a federal grant) that will meet most students' educational needs.  The laptop available for shipping by the College will not meet the requirements for some technology majors.  You must be registered for courses to qualify.  Fall laptops will begin shipping in mid-August.
  • QCC Emergency Assistance Grant:  You may submit the application if you meet the criteria below.

Eligibility Criteria

You must:

  • have been enrolled (registered and attending) on or after March 13, 2020, AND

  • have exceptional financial need

Funding is limited. 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 delayed or denied if funding is exhausted. 

Funding Sources

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

  1. Federal Higher Education Emergency Relief (HEERF) Grants – This is the most substantial source of funding.  HEERF student grant funds are provided by the federal government through the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriation Act (CRRSAA), and the American Rescue Plan (ARP) Act. 
  2. QCC Foundation Grants - Limited funding is also available through generous donations by and to the QCC Foundation.
  3. Federal Emergency Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (Emergency SEOG) - These funds are very limited and require a FAFSA.  Students must be eligible for federal financial aid funding to qualify for this grant.
  4. 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. QCC has a limited amount of funding, and we appreciate students only asking for the amount needed so we can serve as many students affected by the coronavirus as possible.

Requests will generally be reviewed within three 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 Qmail account, if you have one. Students who are not assigned a Qmail account will receive communication via the email account we have on record. Funds will be disbursed through your student account.  In most cases, federal emergency grants and most QCC Foundation funding sources will be refunded directly to you regardless of any balance you may owe to the College. You may provide written authorization for the College to apply your federal emergency funds to your student account balance, if the grant is intended to pay your course costs. Institutional funds and some Foundation funds may be applied to balances owed to the College by the student first at the College’s discretion. 

Higher Education Emergency Relief Funds (HEERF) – Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What are the CARES Act, CRRSAA, and ARP?

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.  QCC students with expenses related to the disruption of campus operations due to COVID-19 may be eligible to participate in the federal emergency grant program. The Commonwealth of Massachusetts was granted an injunction in court that, while in effect, allowed us to offer Higher Educational Emergency Relief Funds to students who do not meet the eligibility for Federal Financial Aid programs under Section 484 in Title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965, as amended (HEA). 

The Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act (CRRSAA) was signed into law on December 27, 2020 and authorized additional Higher Education Emergency Relief Funds to institutions. These funds are able to be used for any component of a student's Cost of Attendance or emergency expenses related to coronavirus. Funds must be given to students with exceptional financial need.  As of December 27, 2020, the law also converted any remaining CARES Act funding to the new regulations. 

The American Rescue Plan (ARP) Act was signed into law on March 11, 2021, authorizing additional Higher Education Emergency Relief Funds to institutions to help students. These funds are able to be used for any component of a student's Cost of Attendance or emergency expenses related to coronavirus. Funds must be given to students with exceptional financial need. There are no longer Title IV (federal financial aid) requirements to receive these funds.

Who is eligible for Higher Education Emergency Relief (HEERF) funds?

You must have been enrolled (registered for classes) and attending on or after March 13, 2020 (the date the federal emergency for COVID-19 was declared). AND

Students must demonstrate exceptional financial need to qualify for HEERF student grant funding.  Students may demonstrate this through the QCC Emergency Assistance Grant Application. 

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 [at] qcc.mass.edu for assistance.

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

Higher Education Emergency Relief Funds (HEERF) are currently 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 related to coronavirus. 

HEERF for Tuition and Fee expenses will be considered for students with exceptional financial need who do not meet the eligibility criteria to receive federal financial aid funding.  Students who have already completed the 2021-2022 Free Application for Federal Student Aid will be considered on a case-by-case basis if they have exceptional financial need.  If you are looking for assistance with your course costs, please email emergencygrant [at] qcc.mass.edu for assistance.

 

What if I am NOT eligible for HEERF emergency funding?

Due to the change in eligibility requirements for Higher Education Emergency Relief Funds (HEERF), most QCC students now qualify.  In the rare case that you do not, or if you have already received a maximum award, you may qualify for QCC Foundation or other sources of assistance on a case-by-case basis.

Emergency Assistance Grant – Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

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

A FAFSA is not required to be considered for Higher Education Emergency Relief 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 2021, Spring 2022, or Summer 2022 must complete the  2021-2022 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.  The FAFSA will request income from 2019- please supply this as requested.  If your income has changed since that time due to the pandemic or other extenuating circumstances, please contact the Financial Aid Office to discuss a reevaluation of your eligibility based on your 2020 or current income.

Please contact the Financial Aid Office at financialaid [at] qcc.mass.edu or call 508-854-4261 for questions regarding how to submit the FAFSA.

Who is eligible for QCC Foundation and Institutional emergency funds?

QCC will prioritize Foundation Emergency Grant assistance to:

  • Students who are actively enrolled in a degree or certificate program for the Summer or Fall 2021 semesters, OR actively participating in programming through the QCC Center for Workforce Development and Continuing Education or the QCC Adult Community Learning Center. 
  • Students and financial needs that do not qualify for Higher Education Emergency Relief Funds (HEERF).

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.

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 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?

No, the funds received through this program do not need to be repaid.

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

Federal emergency funds received through the CARES Act, CRRSAA, or ARP will not impact your financial aid award, due to a special exception in federal law. 

However, emergency funds received from the QCC Foundation, any state emergency grant programs, 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. If a student has received the maximum Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund (HEERF) award, we will try to assist through other programs.  The program is scheduled to continue as long as the funding is not exhausted and while the federal emergency is still in effect due to the pandemic.

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.

For semesters which have not yet started, the federally declared emergency due to the pandemic must still be in effect.

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

The College has a COVID-19 resource page. 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?
  1. If you are enrolled in a degree or certificate program at QCC, please contact us at emergencygrant [at] qcc.mass.edu for questions regarding how to submit the application.
  2. If you are participating in programming through the Center for Workforce Development and Continuing Education, please contact Kate O’Connor at  kaoconnor [at] qcc.mass.edu for questions regarding how to submit the application.
  3. If you are participating in programming through the Adult Community Learning Center, please contact Kimberly White at kwhite [at] qcc.mass.edu for questions regarding how to submit the application.
  4. If you are participating in programming through the Community Bridges or Bridges to College programs, please contact Glenda Rodriguez at 508.854.7530.
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 2021-2022 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to be considered for financial aid for the Fall 2021, Spring 2022, and/or Summer 2022 semesters.

Be sure to select QCC to 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 QCC promptly.  If 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 2020 or current income.

Please contact the Financial Aid Office at financialaid [at] qcc.mass.edu or call 508-854-4261 for questions regarding how to submit the FAFSA.and financial aid eligibility.