Coronavirus Update: Emergency Grants for N.C. A&T Students
March 15, 2021 -- Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund II
The Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund II (HEERF II) was authorized by the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2021 (CRRSAA) to provide funding to colleges and universities for emergency grants to students to cover any component of the cost of attendance or for emergency costs which arise as a result of the coronavirus.
North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University received $7,051,814 in funding to assist students with emergency grants. The following guidelines have been developed for distribution of HEERF II funding:
Eligibility
- Student must be enrolled in a degree seeking or certificate program Spring 2021;
- Recipients of the Federal Pell Grant will receive priority;
- Student must be a U.S. Citizen, Permanent Resident or Eligible Non-Citizen;
- Student must have a 2021 processed FAFSA on file and completed verification (if required);
- Student must be maintaining Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP); and
- Student must meet other Title IV requirements.
Students can receive funding for:
- Tuition and Fees for the current semester;
- Housing and Meals;
- Course Materials;
- Technology;
- Transportation;
- Medical Care including mental health; and
- Child Care.
CRRSAA required the institution to give priority to students with “exceptional need”. Priority will be given to students receiving the Federal Pell Grant. The amount awarded will be based on the tiered approach established below:
- Students who received the Pell Grant in the 2020-2021 academic year and who are undergraduates during the Spring semester;
- Students with a FAFSA on file and did not receive the Pell Grant in 2020-2021;
- Graduate students;
- Less than half-time Undergraduate and Graduate students to include Graduate Certificate students:
Undergraduate Pell Grant Recipients $900
Undergraduate Non-Pell Recipients $500
Graduate Students $300
Less than Half-Time Students (GR & UG) $250
The HEERF II grant is not considered financial aid and will not affect the students’ current or future financial aid eligibility.
When will funds be distributed?
Students do not need to apply. Students will automatically be awarded the emergency funds based on the established criteria. Funds will be distributed by the end of March 2021 to the students’ accounts and via direct deposit to the bank account on file with the Treasurer’s Office and will not affect the students’ financial aid award. All students are encouraged to sign up for direct deposit to ensure faster disbursement. If direct deposit is not on file, a check will be mailed to the students’ mailing address on file.
Students will be notified of the funding disbursement via an email from the Treasurer’s Office.
What if I owe a balance to the University?
Students owing a balance to the University are still eligible for the HEERF II funds. The funds will not apply toward any balance on the students’ accounts. Any outstanding balance will remain on the students’ accounts and will be the students’ responsibility to clear their balance prior to registering for classes for the upcoming semester or before graduation.
Did not receive funding?
Remaining HEERF funds will be set aside for eligible students through an application process.
Students who did not receive funding may complete an application for consideration. The application deadline is April 9, 2020. Students will be awarded until funding is exhausted. If approved, funds will not be released until the end of April 2021. Students must meet the eligibility criteria above.
- Students without a 2020-2021 FAFSA on file may still complete one at https://studentaid.gov. Please allow at least three to five business days for the FAFSA results to be received by the University.
- Students who have not completed verification may do so for consideration. Students should view Aggie Access Online for missing documents for the 2020-2021 academic year.
In accordance with guidance from the U.S. Department of Education, international and undocumented students are not eligible for HEERF II funding.
The amount of the award for students completing the application may vary depending on the number of students applying and the remaining funds. The amount may not be the same as the award amount indicated for students in the tier-approach method indicated above.
Questions regarding the HEERF II funding can be emailed to finaid@ncat.edu with the subject HEERF II.
May 11, 2020 -- CARES Act Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund
The CARES Act Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund (HEERF) has made funding available to institutions to provide emergency grants to eligible students related to the disruption of the delivery instructions (moving to an online method of instruction) due to the COVID-19 pandemic crisis.
North Carolina Agricultural & Technical State University received approximately $7 million to assist students meeting the eligibility criteria. This funding allows the institution to make emergency grants to students for expenses related to items such as food, housing, course materials, technology, transportation, healthcare and childcare.
Funds may not be used to pay a student’s balance. It is the student’s responsibility to resolve any outstanding balance to the university.
To be eligible for funding, students must meet the Title IV eligibility requirements:
- Have a valid Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) on file;
- Have a valid Social Security number;
- Be enrolled in an eligible degree seeking or certificate program;
- Be a U.S. citizen, permanent resident or eligible non-citizen;
- Be registered with Selective Service, if you are a male (if required);
- Be maintaining Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP);
- Not be in default on any federal student loans; do not owe a repayment on any Title IV financial aid;
- And not have a federal or state conviction for drug possession or sale while receiving federal student aid.
Eligible students will be awarded through a tiered process with Pell eligible students receiving the maximum award of $900. Non-Pell eligible students (Undergraduate and Graduate) will receive $500. All less than half-time students (including Pell recipients) will receive $250.
The disbursement will begin shortly. You are encouraged to review your direct deposit information and mailing address in Aggie Access for accuracy.
Please be advised that the following students are not eligible for the HEERF funding:
- International or DACA students;
- Students enrolled in a Distance Education Online Program;
- Students not maintaining Satisfactory Academic Progress;
- Students without a FAFSA on file;
- And students who did not pass the Title IV eligibility requirements.
The process of disbursement will be complete no later than June 15, 2020. Refunds are generally processed one week after disbursement. Please allow the University time to process payments. Guidance on the HEERF funds changes rapidly; students will be informed if guidance impacts eligibility.
The university family hopes you are well and safe.
