HEERF Distribution (CARES Act)

On March 11, 2021, President Biden signed the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (ARP).  The ARP appropriated approximately $39.6 billion for the Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund (HEERF).  This act is done in support of colleges, universities and students to maintain educational excellence, safety and student success through the Coronavirus pandemic.

Within this additional grant, the total amount awarded to Employment Solutions, Inc./College for Technical Education is $844,445, with $422,233 is the student portion and $422,222 is the institutional portion.

Employment Solutions, Inc./College for Technical Education signed an agreement/attestation at the beginning of the grant program that funds awarded to the college and those for the students would be used in the appropriate manner with the best guidelines possible through the Department of Education.  

HEERF funding provides financial assistance not only to the institutions of higher education, but also to the students directly.  HEERF III disbursements supersede the previous disbursement statement of grant funds and are the only disbursement towards HEERF that will be made directly to student accounts each month.  Previous distribution marked for one disbursement every three months, to a monthly disbursement.  

Disbursements will occur for students who have completed an application for the grant no later than June 1, 2021 and the first of the monthly disbursements will occur no later than June 5, 2021.  Subsequent disbursements will take place on or before the 5th of each month.  The funds will be distributed to students in the hopes to help those who may have experienced a disruption to their education due to the COVID-19 pandemic.  

The student emergency financial aid grant is provided to the student and may be used by the student 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.*  

Grants are to be awarded based on student need and the student’s desire and dedication to successfully complete their education. They are being distributed following guidelines by the Department of Education.   For Employment Solutions, Inc./College for Technical Education, students must meet the following conditions for eligibility: 

1. Must be a current student at time of disbursement; and
2. Will be awarded up to a maximum, and not in excess of $500 per disbursement in equal distribution with other qualifying students at time of disbursement; and

These qualifications are subject to review and change prior to each disbursement and all students must have an application for the grant on file.  Students who previously applied during the HEERF I or HEERF II will not be required to resubmit an application.  Individual student circumstances may be reviewed and considered at the discretion of the College.  Students are not guaranteed approval upon application; incomplete applications and/or failure to fall within the requirements of the grant will be informed.   

In addition to the funding for students, the College was awarded Institutional funds which were to be used for the costs associated with the COVID-19 pandemic and the unexpected cost of operations that would not normally have been encountered if it weren’t for the pandemic.  

*https://www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ope/arpfaq.pdf