HIGHER EDUCATION EMERGENCY RELIEF FUNDING ACT (HEERF)
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.
The Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund II (HEERF II) is authorized by the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act (CRRSAA). For more information, visit the Department of Higher Education website.
The CRRSAA Act gives HTC discretion with guidance from the Minnesota State System Office on how to allocate CRRSAA 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 the students 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.
Any individual who is or was enrolled at HTC on or after March 13, 2020, the date of declaration of the national emergency due to the coronovirus. Institutions are required to prioritize students with exceptional need and domestic students.
Students not eligible include concurrent high school students, postsecondary enrollment option students (PSEO), students who have their tuition paid by a third party, or those whose tuition is covered by a tuition waiver.
These eligible expenses include expenses under a student's cost of attendance, such as:
All eligible students who are registered for summer and/or fall terms will be sent an email to their HTC email account. Students will be asked to complete an acceptance form to indicate if they want the funds applied to their tuition or have it dispersed to them directly.
Students not eligible include concurrent high school students, postsecondary enrollment option students (PSEO), students who have their tuition paid by a third party, or those whose tuition is covered by a tuition waiver.
Distribution Timeline
Once eligible students complete the acceptance form, the $300 tuition grant will be applied to their account within one week and dispersed the third week of the term along with any other financial aid. Failing to remain registered in the summer and/or fall terms will result in the award being canceled. Eligible students who fail to complete the acceptance form by Friday, June 25 for the summer term and Friday, September 10 for the fall semester will receive the $300 grant dispersed directly to them the following week.
Frequently Asked Questions
All eligible students were invited to apply for an emergency grant. Applications were due by Friday, March 5, 2021, to be considered. Awards were disbursed to eligible students that applied in late March. Only PELL eligible students were authorized to receive these funds.
Distribution Timeline
Applications were due Friday, March 5, 2021. Awards will be dispersed by late March.
Total funds allocated to the College in CRRSAA funding: $1,327,229.00
Certification and Agreement: Signed by Jessica Lauritsen 4/14/2020
Total CRRSAA funds awarded to this point: $1,184,823.81
Total students awarded to this point: 2,490
Total Title IV Eligible students: 1,640
Updated 9/10/21
Review the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) below. Still have questions, contact OneStop at onestop@hennepintech.edu or 952-995-1300.
The Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2021 (CRRSAA) is federal legislation that provides a variety of financial support to individuals and organizations affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.
CRRSAA includes a Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund (HEERF) 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.
Per guidance by the Minnesota State system, students who were enrolled in credit-based programs and are Pell-eligible. Additional eligibility will be updated as the Department of Education provides further direction. Refer to the “Am I Eligible?” section above for further details.
All CRRSAA eligible students who apply for an emergency grant will be awarded. Award amounts will be based on the requested amount in the application.
Yes. The CARES 2020 and CRRSAA 2021 grants are separate grants provided by the federal government. There is no guidance stating a student is only eligible for one grant through the Higher Education Relief Fund.
Funds will be distributed by direct deposit. If you haven’t already, we encourage you to log in to eServices and enroll in direct deposit now so that the funds can be disbursed directly to your account. If you do not have direct deposit set up, a paper check will be mailed to the physical address that is listed in eServices. Login to make sure your address is up-to-date.
Direct deposit signup is available to students through eServices. This means that students do not have to submit a direct deposit sign-up form, voided check, or bank letter to set up direct deposit. Students can set up and maintain their direct deposit information through eServices at any time. Click here to download a “How-To Guide.”
No.
The student financial aid emergency grant is provided to the student and may be used by the student for any component of the students 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. HTC will offer students the opportunity to apply their award to their tuition balance, as the department allows this with the student's consent.
No. The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) stated that the CRRSAA emergency funds provided to students will not count as taxable income.
No. This is an emergency grant to help you manage unexpected expenses related to the COVID-19 crisis, and it will not have any impact on other financial aid you may be eligible to receive. However, your FAFSA may qualify you for additional funds separate from CRRSAA.
No. This is an emergency grant to help you manage unexpected expenses related to the COVID-19 crisis, and it will not have any impact on other financial aid you may be eligible to receive. However, your FAFSA may qualify you for additional funds separate from CRRSAA.
Students may qualify for a crisis grant provided by the HTC Foundation. Please review the application and process here.
The college is committed to ensuring eligible students are notified of future student grants.
County Resources
Food Shelves
For more information, visit the Hennepin County Library website.
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