Coastal Carolina Community College’s Higher Education Emergency Relief (HEERF I (CARES), HEERF II (CRRSAA), and HEERF III (ARP)) Funds
The College modified its process for the distribution of the Student Portion of CRRSAA and ARP funds, in accordance with guidance published by the U.S. Department of Education on May 14, 2021 and May 24, 2021, effective retroactively as of May 14, 2021. Please carefully review the following guidelines regarding eligibility requirements, as well as instructions for how to apply, if you believe you: (1) may be eligible for a financial award, (2) may be eligible for financial award reclassification, or (3) may be eligible for exceptional need. These rules supersede prior regulations found within both the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act and the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act (CRRSAA); in addition, these guidelines and rules supersede those published by the College on April 14, 2021. To review archived information about either CARES or CRRSAA financial award distributions, use the links on the left-hand side of the webpage.
American Rescue Plan Act of 2021
The American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 was enacted on March 11, 2021. Various support measures to assist individuals adversely affected by the COVID-19 pandemic—including, but not limited to, a host of provisions administered by the U.S. Department of Education related to the emergency distribution of financial aid grants to eligible students enrolled at higher education institutions who incurred expenses because of the disruption of campus operations on and/or after March 13, 2020—are outlined within the legislation.
Carefully review the eligibility requirements for exceptional need, as established by the U.S. Department of Education in published guidance to higher education institutions on March 19, 2021, May 14, 2021, and May 24, 2021, and the institution is prioritizing students who demonstrate exceptional financial need. Contact Mr. Chris Sabin, CARES Coordinator, at sabinc@coastalcarolina.edu or call 910-938-6332 if you have any questions about this application or eligibility guidelines. Further information about eligibility requirements and what constitutes exceptional need may be found on this webpage.
How to Apply for Emergency Financial Awards
To apply, complete the application.
Eligibility Requirements
According to U.S. Department of Education eligibility rules:
- Students are no longer required to be eligible for Title IV student financial aid. Non-degree seeking, non-credit, dual enrollment, and continuing education students are eligible for financial awards.
- Students who have a demonstrated exceptional financial need, such as students who receive Pell Grants or who may be eligible for other federal or state need-based aid or have faced significant unexpected expenses either for themselves or that would affect their financial circumstances (e.g., the loss of employment, reduced income, or food or housing insecurity).
- Students, to include, but not limited to, international, permanent residents, refugees, asylum seekers, DACA recipients, DREAMers, or similar undocumented students; however, the U.S. Department of Education encourages institutions to prioritize domestic students.
- Students who are or were enrolled in an institution of higher education on or after the date of the declaration of the national emergency due to the coronavirus (March 13, 2020) are eligible for emergency financial aid grants from the HEERF, regardless of whether they completed a FAFSA or are eligible for Title IV student financial aid. A completed FAFSA is not required for financial award consideration, and the institution will only use information, such as a completed FAFSA, if available, in an effort to identify and prioritize students with exceptional need.
Eligibility Period and Emergency Financial Award Examples
During the established eligibility period, you are only eligible to receive a one-time financial award. The eligibility period for Summer 2021 is May 17, 2021 – August 15, 2021. Enrollment verification for the disbursement of financial awards was completed on July 7, 2021; therefore, your enrollment status was determined on July 7, 2021 for Summer 2021. Financial awards are contingent upon the availability of funds issued by the U.S. Department of Education, and consideration is granted on a first-come, first-served basis for as long as funds are available. To apply, complete the application.
Example: You received a $600.00 financial award in Summer 2021, based upon your enrollment status and information available to the College, and apply for an Exceptional Need Financial Award in Summer 2021. You may be eligible for an additional $200.00. You cannot receive more than the financial award maximum (i.e., $800.00) during the eligibility period. Enrollment status was determined on July 7, 2021.
Example: You received a $300.00 financial award in Summer 2021, based upon your enrollment status and information available to the College; however, exceptional need could not be determined at the time of disbursement, and enrollment status was determined on July 7, 2021. The institution is prioritizing students who demonstrate exceptional financial need, and students may be eligible for further funding by completing an Exceptional Need Financial Aid Award Application for financial award reclassification. To apply, complete the application.
Example: You did not receive a financial award for Summer 2021 and believe you may be eligible for funding. You may complete an Exceptional Need Financial Aid Award Application for consideration. If approved, the date the Exceptional Need Financial Aid Award Application was submitted will serve as the enrollment verification date. To apply, complete the application.
Note: Students who were enrolled in Summer 2021 and received a financial award under previous guidance published by the College on April 14, 2021 will only be eligible for a one-time financial award, based upon their enrollment status and determined exceptional need, that cannot exceed a combined maximum of $800.00 during the eligibility period.
Exceptional Need
Exceptional need may include, but is not limited to, federal or state need-based aid or significant unexpected expenses, such as the loss of employment, reduced income, or food or housing insecurity. To be connected to not only College but also community support resources and services, contact Mr. Chris Sabin, CARES Coordinator, at sabinc@coastalcarolina.edu or call 910-938-6332. Contact the College’s Financial Aid Department at 910-938-6332 to request a Special Circumstances Review. A Special Circumstances Review does not guarantee additional financial support, but it does allow Financial Aid Department staff to consider any loss of wages or out of pocket expenses you or your family incurred in order to determine if you are eligible for additional financial aid.
Who Will Receive Emergency Relief?
The College identified students who met all U.S. Department of Education rules and guidelines (see the “Eligibility Requirements” section), as of July 7, 2021, and issued a financial award determined by a student’s enrollment status, in conjunction with a demonstrated exceptional financial need based upon available information on-file with the College. Students acknowledge, by accepting and expending a financial award, they have incurred COVID-19-related costs. Please review the tables under the “How Much Funding are Eligible Students Awarded?” section for more information.
Visit the “How to Apply for Emergency Financial Awards” section, and contact Mr. Chris Sabin, CARES Coordinator, at sabinc@coastalcarolina.edu or call 910-938-6332 if you require further assistance.
How Much Funding are Eligible Students Awarded?
Maximum Award Amount
The maximum total award for all expenses is dependent upon your demonstrated exceptional need at time of application less any prior award during the eligibility period. All requests are subject to review and approval contingent on available funding. Appeals will not be accepted with regard to either eligibility or award amount. See the tables below for maximum award amounts, which are determined by your enrollment status and demonstrated exceptional need based upon available information and/or attestation.
Exceptional Need Financial Award Amounts
Exceptional Need Financial Need Awards are determined by several factors, to include, but not limited to, your estimated family contribution (EFC), as provided on your FAFSA, if available. According to the U.S. Department of Education, in order to be eligible for Pell Grants, a student must have an EFC equal to or less than $5,846.00**. The institution is prioritizing students who demonstrate exceptional financial need, and a completed FAFSA is not required for financial award consideration.
| Degree-Seeking or Dual-Enrollment Students | Enrollment Status: Semester Hours | Financial Award Disbursement | Financial Award Maximum with Exceptional Need |
| Full-Time or More | 12+ Hours | $600.00 | $800.00 |
| Half-Time or More | 6 – 11 Hours | $500.00 | $700.00 |
| Less than Half-Time | 1 – 5 Hours | $400.00 | $600.00 |
| Workforce Continuing Education or Non-Degree Seeking Students | Enrollment Status: One (1) Course Equaling or Exceeding | Financial Award Disbursement | Financial Award Maximum with Exceptional Need |
| Full-Time or More | 240 or More Hours | $600.00 | $800.00 |
| Half-Time or More | 239 – 121 Hours | $500.00 | $700.00 |
| Less than Half-Time*** | 120 – 96 Hours | $400.00 | $600.00 |
| Ineligible**** | 95 or Less Hours | – | – |
Financial Award Amounts
Financial award disbursement amounts for students whose EFC is equal to or greater than $5,847.00**, as documented on their FAFSA, if available, as well as students who the College is unable to determine demonstrated exceptional financial need. The institution is prioritizing students who demonstrate exceptional financial need, and a completed FAFSA is not required for financial award consideration.
| Degree-Seeking or Dual-Enrollment Students | Enrollment Status: Semester Hours | Financial Award Disbursement |
| Full-Time or More | 12+ Hours | $300.00 |
| Half-Time or More | 6 – 11 Hours | $200.00 |
| Less than Half-Time | 1 – 5 Hours | $100.00 |
| Workforce Continuing Education or Non-Degree Seeking Students | Enrollment Status: One (1) Course Equaling or Exceeding | Financial Award Disbursement |
| Full-time or More | 240 or More Hours | $300.00 |
| Half-Time or More | 239 – 121 Hours | $200.00 |
| Less than Half-Time*** | 120 – 96 Hours | $100.00 |
| Ineligible**** | 95 or Less Hours | – |
Students who request a Special Circumstances Review, or provide information consistent with qualifying situations that may be considered under a Special Circumstances Review (e.g., students who may be eligible for other federal or state need-based aid or have faced significant unexpected expenses, such as the loss of employment), may be eligible for financial award reclassification. Contact the College’s Financial Aid Department at 910-938-6332 to request a Special Circumstances Review. To be connected to not only College but also community support resources and services, contact Mr. Chris Sabin, CARES Coordinator, at sabinc@coastalcarolina.edu or call 910-938-6332.
* 34 CFR 600.2 and 34 CFR 668 define what constitutes a Degree and Non-Degree Student. In addition, the enrollment status for students who are enrolled in Nursing Aid I and Nursing Aid II, Basic Welding and Pipe Welding, as well as Medical Terminology and Medical Coding and/or Medical Terminology and Medical Billing within Continuing Education will be considered full-time or more (i.e., 240 or more hours); however, the first disbursement will not exceed, based upon demonstrated exceptional financial need, either $300.00 once enrollment has been verified by the course census date (10% point). The second disbursement will not exceed, based upon demonstrated exceptional financial need, either $300.00 once subsequent enrollment in the next program sequence has been verified by the course census date (10% point). If a student has already completed the first sequence and has not received a prior financial award, he or she will be eligible, upon CARES Committee approval, for, based upon demonstrated financial need, $600.00. All other U.S. Department of Education rules and guidelines, in conjunction with enrollment verification by the course census date (10% point), are required.
** The established EFC for Pell Grant eligibility is subject to change by the U.S. Department of Education, and the College reserves the right to modify any eligibility guidelines, rules, or processes for financial award distribution at any time without prior notification.
***Students enrolled in Adult and Basic Education and/or other College and Career Readiness programs are included in this category for disbursement purposes and may complete an Exceptional Need Financial Aid Award Application.
****All students who do not receive a financial award disbursement are eligible to complete an Exceptional Need Financial Aid Award Application. The financial award maximum during any eligibility period for students in this category who apply is no more than $100.00.
What are Expenses Related to the Disruption of Campus Operations?
All emergency assistance provided to eligible students, per guidelines set forth within the CRRSAA, must be expenses incurred because of the disruption of campus operations due to COVID-19.
- Course materials;
- Healthcare;
- Childcare;
- Transportation;
- Technology;
- Other significant unexpected expenses, such as the loss of employment (either for yourself or family), reduced income, or food or housing insecurity.
What if I Didn’t Receive Emergency Relief Funds? Can I Still Apply?
Yes. The College identified students who met all U.S. Department of Education rules and guidelines (see the “Eligibility Requirements” section), as of July 7, 2021, based upon available information on-file with the institution. A completed FAFSA application was note required for financial award consideration; however, students are strongly encouraged to contact the College’s Financial Aid Department at 910-938-6332 to request a Special Circumstances Review if they have exceptional need. To apply, complete the application.
What is the Review and Award Process for Applications?
If you did not automatically receive a financial award, you may still be eligible. You may also apply for financial award reclassification or exceptional need, even if you received a financial award, and receive greater funding, if eligible. Please carefully read information regarding the review process, the award process, and the maximum award amount.
Review Process
After you submit an Exceptional Need Financial Aid Award Application (see “How to Apply for Emergency Awards” section), a committee will review your application. This step may take 10-20 working days to complete, especially if further information is required to process your application.
Award Process
After the review process, you will receive notification regarding the status of your application. If the committee approves a financial award, the distribution process may take 10-15 working days to complete.
Distribution of Emergency Relief Funds
Eligible students will have their financial award electronically deposited, if they have an active Bank Mobile account or direct deposit information on-file. Please ensure, if you have a Bank Mobile account, that all information is current.
Eligible students who have not created a Bank Mobile Account, or the College is unable to electronically deposit funds into a Bank Mobile account, should receive a check, which will be sent by mail to the address on-file with the College.
The College reserves the right, if any check is either not deposited or not cashed within 45 working days, to invalidate the check and re-distribute emergency relief funds to other eligible students. The College also reserves the right to invalidate any check returned to the College for any reason.
Are Emergency Relief Funds Taxable Income and Part of My Gross Income?
No. Emergency financial aid grants made by a federal agency, State, Indian tribe, higher education institution or scholarship-granting organization (including a tribal organization) to a student because of an event related to the COVID-19 national emergency are not included in the student’s gross income. For more information, visit the IRS website.
Questions or Additional Assistance
Please e-mail sabinc@coastalcarolina.edu or call (910) 938-6332. And, if you would like to be connected with other support services or community resources, Student Services staff welcome the opportunity to assit you. Please review the Student Services Designated Points of Contact Guide for more information.
CARES Certification and Agreement Reporting Information (HEERF I)
The College has signed and returned to the U.S. Department of Education (DOE) Certification and Agreement 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 students. The total amount of funds that the College will receive from the DOE pursuant to the Certification and Agreement is $3,371,351.00.
Per DOE requirements, the Certification and Agreement directs each institution applying for Higher Education Emergency Relief Funds (HEERF) funds to comply with Section 18004(e) of the CARES Act and submit an initial report (the “30-day Fund Report”) to the Secretary thirty (30) days from the date of the institution’s Certification and Agreement to the DOE. The DOE will provide instructions for providing the required information to the Secretary in the near future. In the meantime, each HEERF participating institution must post the information listed below on the institution’s primary website. Accordingly, the following information must appear in a format and location that is easily accessible to the public 30 days after the date when the institution received its allocation under 18004(a)(1) and updated every 45 days thereafter:
- An acknowledgement that the institution signed and returned to the DOE the Certification and Agreement and the assurance that the institution has used, or intends 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.
- The total amount of funds that the institution will receive or has received from the DOE pursuant to the institution’s Certification and Agreement [for] Emergency Financial Aid Grants to Students.
- 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 (i.e., as of the 30-day Report and every 45 days thereafter).
- The estimated total number of students at the institution eligible to participate in programs under Section 484 in Title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965 and thus eligible to receive Emergency Financial Aid Grants to students under Section 18004(a)(1) of the CARES Act.
- The total number of students who have received an Emergency Financial Aid Grant to students under Section 18004(a)(1) of the CARES Act.
- The method(s) used by the institution to determine which students receive Emergency Financial Aid Grants and how much they would receive under Section 18004(a)(1) of the CARES Act.
- Any instructions, directions, or guidance provided by the institution to students concerning the Emergency Financial Aid Grants.
CRRSAA & ARP Certification and Agreement Reporting Information (HEERF II & HEERF III)
The College has signed and returned to the U.S. Department of Education (DOE) both Certifications and Agreements assuring that the College will use the applicable amount of funds designated under the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2021 (CRRSAA) and the American Rescue Plan Act, 2021 (ARP) (a)(1) and (a)(4) programs to provide Emergency Financial Aid Grants to Students. The total amount of funds that the College received from the DOE pursuant to the Certification and Agreement for CRRSAA was $6,284,036, and the total amount of funds that the College received from the DOE and pursuant to the Certification and Agreement for ARP was $10,446,523.
The amount of funds received pursuant to the Certification and Agreement designated for Emergency Financial Aid Grants to Students under CRRSAA was $1,685,676, and the amount of funds received pursuant to the Certification and Agreement designated for Emergency Financial Aid Grants to Students under ARP was $5,367,920.
The following information, as issued in guidance from the DOE, must appear in a format and location that is easily accessible to the public. This information must be updated no later than 10 days after the end of each calendar quarter (September 30, and December 31, March 31, and June 30) thereafter, unless the Secretary specifies an alternative method of reporting:
- An acknowledgement that the institution 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.
- The total amount of funds that the institution will receive or has received 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.
- The total amount of Emergency Financial Aid Grants distributed to students under the CRRSAA and ARP (a)(1) and (a)(4) programs as of the date of submission (i.e., as of the initial report and every calendar quarter thereafter).
- 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.
- The total number of students who have received an Emergency Financial Aid Grant to students under the CRRSAA and ARP (a)(1) and (a)(4) programs.
- The method(s) used by the institution to determine which students receive Emergency Financial Aid Grants and how much they would receive under the CRRSAA and ARP (a)(1) and (a)(4) programs.
- Any instructions, directions, or guidance provided by the institution to students concerning the Emergency Financial Aid Grants.
CARES June 2, 2020
| DATE | ESTIMATED # OF ELIGIBLE STUDENTS |
# OF STUDENTS WHO HAVE RECEIVED GRANTS |
TOTAL AMOUNT OF GRANTS DISTRIBUTED |
| June 2, 2020 | 2,967 | 0 | $0 |
CARES 30-day Fund Report
| DATE | ESTIMATED # OF ELIGIBLE STUDENTS |
# OF STUDENTS WHO HAVE RECEIVED GRANTS |
TOTAL AMOUNT OF GRANTS DISTRIBUTED |
| June 30, 2020 | 2,967 | 21 | $15,800 |
CARES July 31, 2020 Update
| DATE | ESTIMATED # OF ELIGIBLE STUDENTS |
# OF STUDENTS WHO HAVE RECEIVED GRANTS |
TOTAL AMOUNT OF GRANTS DISTRIBUTED |
| July 31, 2020 | 2,967 | 191 | $141,100 |
CARES 45-day Fund Report
| DATE | ESTIMATED # OF ELIGIBLE STUDENTS |
# OF STUDENTS WHO HAVE RECEIVED GRANTS |
TOTAL AMOUNT OF GRANTS DISTRIBUTED |
| August 13, 2020 | 2,967 | 297 | $220,550 |
| September 23, 2020 | 2,967 | 433 | $326,100 |
CARES Quarterly Public Reports for the Student Portion
In accordance with US Department of Education Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund guidelines for quarterly reporting for funds received under the CARES Act, the following information is being published for public review:
| QUARTER | ESTIMATED # OF ELIGIBLE STUDENTS |
TOTAL # OF STUDENTS WHO HAVE RECEIVED GRANTS |
TOTAL AMOUNT OF GRANTS DISTRIBUTED |
| June 4, 2020 – September 30, 2020 | 2,967 | 471 | $356,750 |
| October 1, 2020 – December 31, 2020 | 2,967 | 1,605 | $1,537,400 |
| January 1, 2021 – March 31, 2021 | 2,824 | 1,605 | $1,537,400 |
| April 1, 2021 – June 30, 2021 | 2,061 | 1,852 | $1,685,676 |
The College was awarded $1,685,676.00 for the Student Portion.
CRRSAA 30-day Fund Report for the Student Portion and Institutional Portion
| DATE | ESTIMATED # OF ELIGIBLE STUDENTS |
# OF STUDENTS WHO HAVE RECEIVED GRANTS |
TOTAL AMOUNT OF GRANTS DISTRIBUTED |
| June 11, 2021 | 2,824 | 0 | $0 |
CRRSSA 30-day Fund Report for Institutional Portion
CRRSAA Quarterly Public Reports for the Student Portion
In accordance with US Department of Education Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund guidelines for quarterly reporting for funds received under the CRRSAA, the following information is being published for public review:
| QUARTER | ESTIMATED # OF ELIGIBLE STUDENTS |
TOTAL # OF STUDENTS WHO HAVE RECEIVED GRANTS |
TOTAL AMOUNT OF GRANTS DISTRIBUTED |
| January 1, 2021 – March 31, 2021 | 2,824 | 0 | $0 |
| April 1, 2021 – June 30, 2021 | 2,061 | 1,654 | $679,524 |
The College was awarded $1,685,676.00 for the Student Portion.
CARES Quarterly Public Reports for the Institutional Portion (HEERF I)
In accordance with US Department of Education Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund guidelines for quarterly reporting for funds received under the CARES Act, the following information is being published for public review:
July 29, 2020 – September 30, 2020 Institutional Portion Quarterly Report
October 1, 2020 – December 31, 2020 Institutional Portion Quarterly Report
January 1, 2021 – March 31, 2021 Institutional Portion Quarterly Report
April 1, 2021 – June 30, 2021 Institutional Quarterly Report
The College was awarded $1,685,675.00 for the Institutional Portion.
CRRSAA Quarterly Public Reports for the Institutional Portion (HEERF II)
In accordance with US Department of Education Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund guidelines for quarterly reporting for funds received under the CRRSAA, the following information is being published for public review:
January 1, 2021 – March 31, 2021 HEERF II Institutional Portion Quarterly Report
April 1, 2021 – June 30, 2021 HEERF II Institutional Portion Quarterly Report
The College was awarded $4,598,360.00 for the Institutional Portion.
ARP 30-day Fund Report for the Student Portion and Institutional Portion
| DATE | ESTIMATED # OF ELIGIBLE STUDENTS |
# OF STUDENTS WHO HAVE RECEIVED GRANTS |
TOTAL AMOUNT OF GRANTS DISTRIBUTED |
| June 11, 2021 | 2,824 | 0 | $0 |
ARP 30-day Fund Report for the Institutional Portion
ARP Quarterly Public Reports for the Student Portion
In accordance with US Department of Education Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund guidelines for quarterly reporting for funds received under the ARP, the following information is being published for public review:
| QUARTER | ESTIMATED # OF ELIGIBLE STUDENTS |
TOTAL # OF STUDENTS WHO HAVE RECEIVED GRANTS |
TOTAL AMOUNT OF GRANTS DISTRIBUTED |
| April 1, 2021 – June 30, 2021 | 2,061 | 0 | $0 |
The College was awarded $5,367,920.00 for the Student Portion.
ARP Quarterly Public Reports for the Institutional Portion (HEERF III)
In accordance with US Department of Education Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund guidelines for quarterly reporting for funds received under the ARP, the following information is being published for public review:
April 1, 2021 – June 30, 2021 HEERF III Institutional Portion Quarterly Report
The College was awarded $5,078,603.00 for the Institutional Portion.