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Cares Grant

The CARES Emergency Grant (2020) has closed and all funds have been disbursed. CRRSAA funds are available for 2021. Visit the CRRSAA page for more information.

We know that due to COVID-19, many of our students now face heightened financial, physical, emotional, and academic challenges. We care about our students' success and well-being during these difficult times.


Hennepin Tech Cares Emergency Fund

The CARES Act gives Hennepin Tech discretion with guidance from the Minnesota State System Office on how to allocate CARES emergency funding to students. Emergency student grants can be used to cover student expenses related to the disruption of campus operations due to coronavirus. These eligible expenses include expenses under a student’s cost of attendance, such as food, housing, course materials, technology, health care, and child care.

Who's Eligible?

Automated Plan

Students who were enrolled in credit based programs as of March 13, 2020 excluding online only, PSEO, concurrent, exclusively senior citizen rate or whose full tuition paid by a third party or those incarcerated and are Title IV eligible.

Application Plan:

  • Students who were enrolled in credit based programs as of March 13, 2020 excluding online only, PSEO, concurrent, exclusively senior citizen rate or whose full tuition paid by a third party or those incarcerated and are Title IV eligible.
  • Awards will be made to students demonstrating the greatest need.
  • Students may apply for each application cycle.

What Can I Receive Funds For?

These eligible expenses include expenses under a student's cost of attendance, such as food, housing, course materials, technology, health care, and child care.

Application & Distribution Timeline

  • Automatic Deposit: All CARES eligible students received a $100 award on May 8, 2020.
  • Emergency Funds by Application: All CARES eligible students were invited to apply for an emergency grant in two cycles through an application process.
    • Cycle 1: Applications were due May 15, 2020 and funds were distributed to students the week of May 22, 2020.
    • Cycle 2: Applications were due June 15, 2020 and funds were distributed to students the week of June 22, 2020
  • Emergency Funds by Balance Due – All CARES eligible students with a tuition balance due for Spring 2020 or Summer 2020 terms were awarded an emergency grant the week of August 17, 2020.
  • Crisis Grants – All CARES eligible students who apply for a crisis grant will be considered through the college’s regular crisis grant process to receive up to a $500 crisis grant for eligible expenses. Crisis grant awards are available beginning the week of August 24, 2020 and awards are made to students within one week of submitting an eligible application.

Frequently Asked Questions

  1. I did not receive the $100 Disbursement Payment.
    Students are excluded if they are online-only, PSEO, concurrent, exclusively senior citizen rate or whose full tuition paid by a third party or those incarcerated and are Title IV eligible. If you are an eligible student and did not receive a payment, contact the tuition office at OneStop@HennepinTech.edu. Please note that funds were disbursed by May 8, 2020. Please allow 5 business days to receive your check in via mail.
  2. Is the emergency aid considered taxable income?
    It is uncertain at this time. Minnesota State has not yet received a decision from the federal government regarding the tax status of grant disbursements. Grants may be counted as income on 2020 taxes.
  3. Who is eligible to receive CARES Funding?
    Per guidance by the Minnesota State system, students who were enrolled in credit-based programs as of March 13, 2020, excluding online-only, PSEO, concurrent, exclusively senior citizen rate or whose full tuition paid by an employer, third party or those incarcerated and are Title IV eligible. For additional information related to CARES Fund eligibility for the U.S. Department of Education, download the HEERF Student FAQs.
  4. How can I sign-up for direct deposit?
    Direct deposit signup is available to students through e-Services. This means that students do not have to submit a direct deposit signup form, voided check, or bank letter to set up direct deposit. Students can set up and maintain their direct deposit information through e-Services at any time. Download the “How-To Guide.”
  5. What is the federal CARES Act?
    The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act is a federal program that provides relief from the public health and economic impacts of COVID-19. The act provides funding for higher education institutions and their students nationwide. The act allocated $93.361 million for the colleges and universities of Minnesota State. Half was allocated to institutions to help them address their financial losses. Half was allocated to institutions to provide emergency aid for students.
  6. I am not eligible for the Automatic Plan, does that mean I’m not eligible for the Application Grants?

    Correct. The exclusions are the same. Students are excluded if they are online-only, PSEO, concurrent, exclusively senior citizen rate or whose full tuition paid by a third party or those.

    The method(s) used by the institution to determine which student receives Emergency Financial Aid Grants and how much they would receive under Section 18004(a)(1) of the CARES Act. All CARES eligible students who applied for an emergency grant were awarded. Award amounts were based on the requested amount in the application.

Quarterly Budget & Expenditure Report

Emergency Grant Funding Statistics

Updated 04/02/21

  • Total funds allocated to the College in CARES funding: $1,327,229
  • Certification and Agreement: signed by Jessica Lauritsen 4/14/2020
  • Total CARES Fund Awarded to this point: $1,326,728.18
  • Total students awarded to this point: 2,839
  • Total T-IV Eligible students: 4,619

Communications with Students

Have A Question?

Contact OneStop at OneStop@HennepinTech.edu or 952-995-1300.