CRRSA Act and ARP Student Funds
Under the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations (CRRSA) act and the American Rescue Plan (ARP), Highland Community College has received funds to provide emergency financial grants to students. The use of CRRSA act and ARP funds is intended to assist students with expenses for any component of the student’s cost of attendance or for emergency costs that arise due to coronavirus, such as tuition, food, housing, health care (including mental health care) or child care.
By cashing an ARP and/or CRRSA act check, a student is acknowledging that the funds will be used to offset the cost of expenses for any component of the student’s cost of attendance or for emergency costs that arise due to coronavirus, such as tuition, food, housing, health care (including mental health care) or child care. If a student is unable to use the funds to cover such costs, please email payments@highland.edu for return instructions. Checks must be cashed or returned within 30 days of receipt.
Grant funds were processed through student accounts. The funds were not be applied to past or current charges or outstanding balances. ARP check amounts for eligible students were determined based on FAFSA-determined estimated family contribution (EFC), if applicable, and enrollment status as follows:
| EFC | Enrollment Status | Check Amount |
| $0 | Full-time | $2,200 |
| $0 | Three-quarters or half-time | $1,650 |
| $0 | Less than half-time | $825 |
| $1 – $5,846 | Full-time | $2,000 |
| $1 – $5,846 | Three-quarters or half-time | $1,500 |
| $1 – $5,846 | Less than half-time | $750 |
| $5,847+ | Full-time | $1,900 |
| $5,847+ | Three-quarters or half-time | $1,425 |
| $5,847+ | Less than half-time | $715 |
ARP check amounts for eligible students who did not complete a FAFSA are as follows:
| Full-time | $1,700 |
| Three-quarters or half-time | $1,275 |
| Less than half-time | $635 |
Students who have further questions regarding the ARP funds can send a message to financialaid@highland.edu
Overall:
Highland received ARP funds for emergency financial grant to students in the amount of $1,938,887. In the fall 2021 semester, the total number of students who may be eligible is around 1,700. The method to determine which students receive emergency financial aid grants and the amount of the grants is based on exceptional need and enrollment status in the fall 2021 semester. As of October 8, 2021, the total number of students receiving checks totaled 980, amounting to $1,605,255. As of March 4, 2022, the total number of students receiving checks totaled 2,129 amounting to a grand total of $1,938,887 Highland has disbursed all ARP funds for emergency financial grants to students.
Highland received CRRSA act funds for emergency financial grants to students in the amount of $455,905. In the Spring 2021 semester, the total number of students who may have been eligible was 1,325. Of those, 645 had completed a FAFSA at that time, which was used to determine exceptional need. As of January 10, 2022, a cumulative number of 712 students had received checks amounting to a grand total of $452,519 in CRRSA emergency financial grants. As of March 4, 2022, a cumulative number of 714 students had received checks amounting to a grand total of $455,905. Highland has disbursed all CRRSA funds for emergency financial grants to students.
CRRSA Act FAQ
What is the CRRSA Act?
CRRSA stands for the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act and was signed into law on December 27, 2020. The purpose of this Act is to provide economic relief to millions of Americans through direct assistance to individuals, families, and businesses. HCC has been awarded $455,905 to provide emergency financial aid grants to students.
What is ARP?
ARP stands for American Rescue Plan and was signed into law on March 11, 2021. The purpose of the plan was to provide relief during the final phase of the COVID-19 crisis. HCC has been awarded $1,938,887 to provide emergency financial grants to students.
Do students need to apply to get these funds?
Students did not need to apply for ARP funds, however, students needed to be enrolled in the fall 2021 semester as of the tenth day of the semester.
Students did not need to apply for CRRSA funds, however, students needed to have completed the FAFSA to determine eligibility. Students meeting eligibility requirements may apply for additional funds here.
Who is eligible to receive the funds?
To be eligible for the March 2022 disbursement of ARP grant funds a student must have been enrolled in dual credit courses for the fall 2021 and/or spring 2022 semester as of the tenth day of the semester.
To be eligible for the CRSSA grant funds a student must have:
- Been enrolled in the spring 2021 semester.
- Must meet certain eligibility requirements as demonstrated through completion of the FAFSA -process
When will students get payment?
ARP checks were mailed March 3, 2022.
ARP checks were mailed October 8, 2021.
CRRSA checks were mailed April 7, 2021.
How will the funds be distributed?
Funds will be distributed by check mailed to the student’s address on record.
Why only checks?
Students must acknowledge that they are using the funds to assist with expenses for any component of the student’s cost of attendance or for emergency costs that arise due to coronavirus, such as tuition, food, housing, health care (including mental health care) or child care. Students are sent notification with the check that indicates by accepting the funds they acknowledge the funds will be used as such.
Who should students call with questions?
Student inquiries can be directed to Ashley Wolber 815-599-3519 or email FinancialAid@Highland.edu.
How much money will students receive?
March 2022:
In March 2022, Highland Community College dual credit students enrolled in Fall 2021 and/or Spring 2022 dual credit courses received ARP emergency financial aid grant checks. These checks were sent to the mailing address on file and delivered by the US postal service. Each student received $200.
October 2021:
In October 2021, check amounts for fall 2021 semester eligible students are based on their FAFSA-determined estimated family contribution (EFC), if applicable, and their enrollment status.
| EFC | Enrollment Status | Check Amount |
| $0 | Full-time | $2,200 |
| $0 | Three-quarters or half-time | $1,650 |
| $0 | Less than half-time | $825 |
| $1 – $5,846 | Full-time | $2,000 |
| $1 – $5,846 | Three-quarters or half-time | $1,500 |
| $1 – $5,846 | Less than half-time | $750 |
| $5,847+ | Full-time | $1,900 |
| $5,847+ | Three-quarters or half-time | $1,425 |
| $5,847+ | Less than half-time | $715 |
ARP check amounts for eligible students who did not complete a FAFSA are as follows:
| Full-time | $1,700 |
| Three-quarters or half-time | $1,275 |
| Less than half-time | $635 |
Check amounts for spring 2021 semester eligible students are based on their FAFSA-determined estimated family contribution (EFC) as follows:
| EFC | Check Amount |
| $0 | $800 |
| $1 – $5,711 | $600 |
| $5,712+ | $400 |
Will all students receive these funds?
No, only students who meet the eligibility requirements will receive these funds.
Can the funds be used to pay a balance owed to HCC?
CRSSA act and ARP funds will not automatically be used to cover any tuition/fees charges that are currently outstanding at HCC. A student may cash their check and use the funds for the purpose of paying a balance due or other eligible costs.
What if the student can’t use the finds to pay these expenses?
If the student isn’t able to use the funds to cover such costs, he/she should email payments@highland.edu for return instructions. Checks must be cashed or returned within 30 days of receipt.
CRRSA Act and ARP Institutional Funds
Under the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act (CRSSA) and the American Rescue Plan (ARP), Highland Community College has received Higher Education Emergency Relief Funds Section (a)(1) and Section (a)(2). Institutions are to publicly report on the use of the funds by posting a quarterly budget and expenditure report to the College’s website.
Highland Community College’s quarterly reports for 2021 and 2022 can be found below. Please note, the quarterly report for June 2023 is the final report.
HEERF Quarterly Reporting March 31, 2021
ARP HEERF Quarterly Reporting June 30, 2021
HEERF Quarterly Reporting September 30, 2021
HEERF Quarterly Reporting December 31, 2021
HEERF Quarterly Reporting March 31, 2022
HEERF Quarterly Reporting June 30, 2022
HEERF Quarterly Reporting September 30, 2022
HEERF Quarterly Reporting December 2022
HEERF Quarterly Reporting March 2023
HEERF Quarterly Reporting June 2023