Federal Emergency Grants for Students

The Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act (CRRSAA) and the American Rescue Plan (ARP) Act allocate funds to support individuals and businesses/organizations affected by the pandemic and economic downturn. The Act includes several sources of funds for colleges and universities, including the Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund (HEERF).

OCC received funds under the CRRSAA and the ARP Acts to provide emergency financial aid grants to students for expenses related to the disruption of campus operations due to coronavirus. These grants may be used 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. With a student’s consent, OCC is permitted to apply these grants directly to the student’s institutional account to cover current balances.

All students who are enrolled are eligible for emergency financial aid grants, regardless of whether they completed a FAFSA or are eligible for Title IV aid. That includes citizens, permanent residents, refugees, asylum seekers, Deferred Action for Childhood Arrival (DACA) recipients, other DREAMers, and similar undocumented students. The CRRSAA and ARP Acts require that institutions prioritize students with exceptional need, such as students who receive Pell Grants, in awarding financial aid grants to students. However, students do not need to be Pell recipients or students who are eligible for Pell grants to be identified as having exceptional need. In addition, the CRRSAA and the ARP Acts explicitly allow financial aid grants be provided to students exclusively enrolled in distance education.

Emergency grants may be used 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. With a student’s consent, OCC is permitted to apply these grants directly to the student’s institutional account to cover current balances.

In an effort to make CRRSAA funding available to students whose academic pursuits are negatively impacted by COVID-19, Ocean County College has decided, in order to help as many students as possible, the amount of eligible expenses that an eligible student requests funding for can be funded up to maximum amounts of $2,000 to full time students (12 credit hours or more) or $1000 to part time students (11 credit hours or less).

If you are graduating in Spring 2022, you may have until May 16, 2022 to apply to be considered for funding. Applications received from graduating students after this date will not be considered for the emergency grant.

International students may also receive assistance. However, institutions must ensure that funds go to students who have exceptional need. The Department of Education encourages institutions to prioritize domestic students in allocating this funding. Domestic students include citizens, permanent residents, refugees, asylum seekers, DACA recipients, other DREAMers, and similar undocumented students.

If you withdrew from all your Spring 2022 courses, you will not qualify for the emergency funding. To be eligible, you must be registered for classes during the Spring 2022 semester.

Yes. The CRRSAA and ARP Acts explicitly provides that financial aid grants to students may be provided to students exclusively enrolled in distance education.

We are reviewing applications as quickly as possible so we can meet students’ critical needs. Students are advised to check their Ocean Connect account. Students will receive an email notification if their application is incomplete or does not meet eligibility requirements.

Yes. With a student’s consent, OCC is permitted to apply these grants directly to the student’s institutional account to cover current balances.

Yes. Students who continue to be enrolled at OCC will have the opportunity to reapply for grants for the Spring 2022 semester, even if the student received funds in the Fall 2021 semester.

If funding is approved, the grant funds will be disbursed to your account. It is in your best interest to set up direct deposit with the College. The College’s ability to issue paper checks and mail them has been slowed due to the pandemic. If you have a checking or savings account, setting up direct deposit from the College is easy to do so. You can set up direct deposit online.

The Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act allocates funds to support individuals and businesses/organizations affected by the pandemic and economic downturn. The Act includes several sources of funds for colleges and universities, including the Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund.

OCC received funds under the CARES Act to provide emergency financial aid grants to students for expenses related to the disruption of campus operations due to coronavirus. Eligible expenses include items in the student’s cost of attendance such as food, housing, course materials, technology, health care and childcare.

According to the U.S. Department of Education, the CARES Act emergency financial aid grant funding is for students who are eligible to receive federal financial aid and are enrolled in a program that met on-campus prior to the transition to online classes due to COVID-19.

The financial aid office will determine if the student meets the financial aid eligibility requirements based on the FAFSA on file. Students who have not completed a 2019-2020 FAFSA, to be considered for the OCC CARES Act Grant, you may do so at www.FAFSA.gov.

Should you have any questions, please contact the financial aid office. The criteria to participate in Title IV programs include but are not limited to the following:

• Be enrolled in a degree or certificate program.
• Be a U.S. citizenship or national, permanent resident, or other eligible noncitizen.
• Have a valid Social Security number.
• Selective Service registration (if the student is male or was male at birth).
• Must have a high school diploma, GED, or completion of high school in an approved homeschool setting.
• Must be making Satisfactory Academic Progress.
• Not be in default of a federal student loan or owe an overpayment on Title IV grants or loans.
• Must sign a statement of educational purpose.
• Must not have a federal or state conviction for drug possession or sale while receiving Title IV funds.

Eligible expenses associated with your enrollment at OCC for CARES Act funding include food, housing, technology expenses, academic course materials, health care, childcare, and other unexpected expenses included in the student’s cost of attendance.

In an effort to make CARES Act funding available to students whose academic pursuits are negatively impacted by COVID-19, Ocean County College has decided, in order to help as many students as possible, the amount of eligible expenses that an eligible students requests funding for can be funded up to maximum amounts of $2,500 to full time students (12 credit hours or more) or $1500 to part time students (11 credit hours or less).