ALL FUNDS FOR THE HIGHER EDUCATION EMERGENCY RELIEF FUND II (HEERF II) GRANT HAVE BEEN EXHAUSTED.
Owens Community College, through the federal Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2021 (CRRSAA), has been awarded $1.9 million in The Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund II (HEERF II) to provide emergency funds to college students to assist with expenses related to the COVID-19 coronavirus outbreak. Allowable expenses include costs for attending college and emergency costs that arise due to coronavirus, such as an outstanding institutional balance, food, housing, health care (including mental health care), or child care. In prioritizing students with exceptional need and to support the greatest number of students possible, students have two possible paths to receive funds.
For the federal Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund II, an eligible student may receive funds through both the Auto Award process and the Grant Application process. If an eligible student did not receive an Auto Award, they may request funds through the Grant Application process.
The first path is a Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund II (HEERF II) Auto Award.
WHO IS ELIGIBLE?
Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund II (HEERF II) amounts are based on students with actual credit hours for Spring 2021 greater than zero, a citizen or eligible non-citizen, has a confirmed identity on file, a regular student, not non-matriculating for Spring 2021, and an expected family contribution as determined by the FAFSA to prioritize students demonstrating exceptional financial need.
As of March 30, 2021, students must have a completed 2020-2021 or 2021-2022 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) on file, met eligibility criteria, and are considered to be a student who has the greatest financial need.
This award will automatically be applied to a student’s account on Friday, April 2, 2021. The student will receive a refund based on the refund preference they have selected with BankMobile. For information about BankMobile and setting a refund preference, please view the Refunds section of the Student Accounts website at the Student Accounts website. If assistance is needed with setting up your refund preference, please contact the Student Service Center at (567) 661-2387.
The second path is the Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund II (HEERF II) Grant Application.
WHO IS ELIGIBLE?
A student must be a regular student at Owens and are not currently enrolled in high school or lower.
Grant amounts will be based on an individual student grant application submission and are subject to availability of funds. The maximum grant request per student is $500. A student is only eligible to make one request for a HEERF II grant for Spring 2021 based on the current federal funding. HEERF II grant applications will be processed within five business days.
FAQs
What is the Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund II?
On December 27, 2021, the federal government enacted the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2021 (CRRSAA), Public Law 116-260 in response to the economic impact of the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic. The CRRSAA Act established and funded the Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund II (HEERF II) to provide Financial Aid Grants to students to be used for allowable financial expenses incurred as a result of COVID-19 crisis.
How will my refund be reflected on my student account?
Refunds will be posted on the Account Summary by Term located on the Tuition and Fee Information card in your Ozone account. Students will see HEERF II Payment and HEERF II Refund. If you are expecting a refund, you should receive it in the manner you selected within 3-5 business days after a refund appears on your student account.
How were the automatic award amounts determined for HEERF II?
The automatic awards were based on the following eligibility criteria:
- Students with actual credit hours for Spring 2021 greater than zero.
- Students who are a citizen or eligible non-citizen.
- Students who have a confirmed identity on file.
- Student is a regular student, not non-matriculating for Spring 2021.
Who is eligible for a Higher Emergency Relief Fund II (HEERF II) Grant?
Students enrolled in Spring 2021 classes on March 30, 2021, who meet eligibility criteria and who had exceptional financial need as of March 30, 2021 were awarded funds automatically.
Students who were not automatically awarded or wish to request additional funding can complete an online application through their Ozone account.
How will the Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund II (HEERF II) be sent to me?
This award will automatically be applied to your student account. You will receive a refund based on the refund preference you have selected with BankMobile. Please note, you should receive it within 3-5 business days after a refund appears on your account. For information about BankMobile and setting a refund preference, please view the Refunds section of the Student Accounts website at https://www.owens.edu/student-accounts/deferred.html.
Who should I contact if I have questions about the HEERF II?
If you have any questions, please contact the Student Service Center at (567) 661-2387 or email your Student Financial Services Advisor using your Owens student email account. Your Student Financial Services Advisor’s contact information is made available on the Advisor card located in your Ozone account.
Additional information and resources related to the COVID-19 coronavirus outbreak is available at https://www.owens.edu/covid19/.
What is the different between the Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund II (HEERF II) grant and the Student Emergency Assistance Fund?
The HEERF II grant is funded by the federal Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2021 (CRRSAA) to provide emergency funds to college students to assist with the expenses related to the COVID-19 coronavirus outbreak. Allowable expenses include costs for attending college and emergency costs that arise due to coronavirus, such as an outstanding institutional balance, food, housing, health care (including mental health care), or child care.
The Student Emergency Assistance Fund, is made available through contributions made by donors. Approved amounts are considered an additional financial aid resource for the purpose of packaging financial aid awards. Students must be degree or certificate seeking, in academic good standing, have encountered an unexpected financial hardship, and are in need of assistance with books and supplies through the Owens bookstore, or with non-educational related expenses, such as, mortgage, utilities, personal automobile expenses, public transportation, medical bills, and child care. The use of emergency assistance does not cover assistance with tuition related expenses. For more information about the Student Emergency Assistance Fund, please visit https://www.owens.edu/sfs/emergency/.
When will I receive the Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund II (HEERF II) grant?
Owens Community College processes and distributes refunds to BankMobile on Fridays. If you are expecting a refund, you should receive it in the manner you selected within 3-5 business days after a refund appears on your student account.
What is the processing time of a Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund II (HEERF II) grant application?
Applications submitted will be reviewed and decisions made within 5 business days of receipt.
Do I have to report the Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund II (HEERF II) grant on my income tax return?
For information on reporting the HEERF II grant, please visit the IRS website. Please contact your tax preparer if you have additional questions.
Can my HEERF II approved grant amount OR automatic award pay an existing balance I owe the college?
Yes, a student may use the HEERF II funds to satisfy an outstanding balance on the student’s account, but must provide written (or electronic) affirmative consent. On the HEERF II application select the option to authorize Owens Community College to use your HEERF II grant to pay any existing account balance.
What kinds of expenses are allowable for the HEERF II?
Allowable expenses include costs for attending college and emergency costs that arise due to coronavirus, such as an outstanding institutional balance, food, housing, health care (including mental health care), or child care.
Do I have to repay the Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund II (HEERF II) grant?
The funds do not need to be repaid and are designed to be a grant, not a loan.
Would the HEERF II funding reduce my financial aid awards?
No, this fund does not affect your financial aid eligibility. It is a one-time grant.
Is there a maximum amount of funding that a student can apply for, using the HEERF II grant request process?
Yes, the maximum amount is $500. Please note, this amount does not include any funds a student may have received through the automatic award process. And, that amount of an automatic award does not figure in to the $500 limit.
Why didn't I receive any money as part of the automatic awarding process for the HEERF II?
You may not have a 2020-2021 or 2021-2022 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA®) on file, were not enrolled on March 30, 2021, or did not meet the Expected Family Contribution or other eligibility criteria. However, you still have the option to apply for the Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund II (HEERF II) as long as you meet the eligibility criteria.
For more information on how to apply for HEERF II and to determine if you meet the eligibility criteria to do so, refer to the Q & A ‘How do I apply for the Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund II (HEERF II) Grant, if I did not receive and automatic award, or if I would like to request additional funding?’
FAFSA® is a registered trademark of the U.S. Department of Education.
Will the HEERF II reduce my financial aid awards?
No, this fund does not affect your financial aid eligibility. It is a one-time grant.
The first path is a Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund II (HEERF II) Auto Award. Who Is Eligible?
Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund II (HEERF II) amounts are based on students with actual credit hours for Spring 2021 greater than zero, a citizen or eligible non-citizen, has a confirmed identity on file, a regular student, not non-matriculating for Spring 2021, and an expected family contribution as determined by the FAFSA® to prioritize students demonstrating exceptional financial need.
As of March 30, 2021, students must have a completed 2020-2021 or 2021-2022 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA®) on file, met eligibility criteria, and are considered to be a student who has the greatest financial need.
This award will automatically be applied to a student’s account on Friday, April 2, 2021. The student will receive a refund based on the refund preference they have selected with BankMobile. For information about BankMobile and setting a refund preference, please view the Refunds section of the Student Accounts website at the Student Accounts website. If assistance is needed with setting up your refund preference, please contact the Student Service Center at (567) 661-2387.
FAFSA® is a registered trademark of the U.S. Department of Education.
