CARES Grant Q&A | MCTC

Affording College

CARES Grant Q&A

The Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund (HEERF) authorized by the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, which was recently signed into law by President Donald J. Trump.

The CARES Act provides emergency funds for education-related expenses created by the disruption of campus operations due to COVID-19.

Based on U.S. Department of Education (DOE) requirements, applicants must be current KCTCS students who are eligible for Title IV financial aid and have experienced hardships caused by campus disruption created by COVID-19.

The CARES Act provides assistance to college students, who beginning on March 13, 2020, experienced hardships caused by COVID-19 related to:

  • Housing
  • Childcare
  • Medical Care
  • Course materials/Technology
  • Extended program length (to accommodate clinicals/labs)
  • Food Insecurity (due to shutdown of college food pantries)

Eligible students will receive an email from their college president. If a student has a need that fits the requirements, the student can fill out a request form online at the college’s website. Students will have the opportunity to provide specific education-related expense request per category in Food and Course Material.

Completion of the request is not a guarantee of funding.

Each college has an application review committee that will prioritize aid by financial need as the DOE has outlined. In addition to following DOE guidance, the KCTCS plan follows guidance from the National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators (NASFAA.)

There is no specific set amount but there is a maximum – the amount is determined by the committee reviewing the applications at each college and dependent on the individual situation.

Students will be notified by the college if they have/have not been approved. Those who are approved will be notified of the amount they will receive. Students will receive the grant based on their refund method preference with BankMobile.

Students who have questions or need help should contact their college’s Financial Aid Office.

Unfortunately, DOE is not making funds available to students other than those who are eligible for Title IV financial aid.