In March 2021, the federal government passed the ARP: American Rescue Plan (HEERF III), which allocated funds to higher education institutions across the nation. Similar to the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act with HEERF I funds, the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act (CRRSAA) with HEERF II funds, the ARP HEERF III funds are distributed in grants with appropriate use stipulations and require institutions to disburse a portion of these funds in direct support to eligible students. Century College signed and returned the Certification & Agreement with the US Department of Education to accept the allocated funds from the American Rescue Plan. The funds must be used to cover expenses related to the student’s cost of attendance or for emergency costs that arise due to COVID-19, such as tuition, food, housing, health care (including mental health care), child care, course materials, or technology. Institutions cannot require students to use funds to pay tuition or past due balances; however, students may choose to apply the funds toward tuition.
Statutory guidance requires Century College to distribute HEERF III funds to students with exceptional needs. Century College will distribute approximately $9M of HEERF III funds to its students. Century College will disburse funds directly to eligible students, starting with disbursing $4.5M in Fall 2021 and the remaining amount of funds of $4.5M will be disbursed in Spring 2022. In addition, up to $500,000 will be available for need-based emergency grants available to students via ARP HEERF III Special Circumstance application using the same guidelines as CRRSSA funds.
The U.S. Department of Education required Century and all higher education institutions to prioritize the funds to support students with exceptional financial needs. In Fall 2021, Century College identified Pell grant eligible students in which funds were directly disbursed to students, prorated based on Fall 2021 enrollment/credit load. Students whose EFC is not eligible for Pell grants but is lower than the Cost of Attendance are eligible for reduced ARP grants, prorated based on Fall 2021 enrollments. Exceptions for ARP eligibility include concurrent enrollment high school students, postsecondary enrollment option students (PSEO), those being assessed senior citizen tuition rates or those enrolled in non-credit, those incarcerated, or those whose tuition is covered by a third-party (tuition waiver). The students considered ineligible for the grant cash distributions are also considered ineligible for the portion set aside for emergency grants.
As of September 30, 2021, 3,765 students received $4,355,000 of ARP Base funds and 14 students received ARP Special Circumstances grants of $13,500.
As of December 31, 2021, 3,752 students received $4,342,400 of ARP Base funds and 990 students received ARP Special Circumstances grants of $495,000.**
As of March 31, 2022, 7,023 students received $8,113,010 of ARP Base funds and 2,936 students received ARP Special Circumstances grants of $1,468,000.**
As of June 1, 2022, Century College has no remaining ARP funds to award to students.
As of June 30, 2022, 7,012 students received $8,101,160 of ARP Base funds and 2,970 students received ARP Special Circumstances grants of $1,484,379.**
As of September 30, 2022, 7,012 students received $8,101,160 of ARP Base funds and 2,970 students received ARP Special Circumstances grants of $1,484,379.**
As of December 30, 2022, 7,012 students received $8,101,160 of ARP Base funds and 2,970 students received ARP Special Circumstances grants of $1,484,379.**
As of March 31, 2023, 7,012 students received $8,101,160 of ARP Base funds and 2,970 students received ARP Special Circumstances grants of $1,484,379.**
As of June 30, 2023, 7,012 students received $8,101,160 of ARP Base funds and 2,970 students received ARP Special Circumstances grants of $1,484,379.**
**The student counts and funds provided to students do not include the 14 students who received $13,500 of HEERF institutional-funded awards.