Higher Education Relief Funds

Columbia College Higher Education Relief Funds

The information posted below is in compliance with Section 18004(e) of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES).

  1. Columbia College has signed and submitted to the Department of Education the Certification and Agreement form as required. The institution assures that we intend to use no less than 50% of the funds received under Section 18004(a)(1) of the CARES Act to provide emergency financial aid grants to students.
  2. Columbia College has received $1,002,296 from the Department of Education pursuant to the institution’s Certification and Agreement, of which $501,148 must be distributed to students.
  3. As of today, the institution has distributed all $501,148 to students under Section 18004(a)(1) of the CARES Act.
  4. There are an estimated 779 students at the institution eligible to participate in programs under Section 484 in Title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965 and thus eligible to receive emergency financial aid grants under Section 18004(a)(1) of the CARES Act.
  5. As of today, 325 students have received an emergency financial aid grant.
  6. Based on the requirements under Section 18004(a)(1) of the CARES Act, the institution determined the students who incurred extra educational expenses based on COVID-19 were residential students. These students had to abruptly leave campus with short notice which directly affected their food and housing. The institution determined the amount of the grants based on a prorated formula of the week the student left their residence hall room compared to how many days were left in the spring semester.
  7. The institution has posted information on our website in regards to the CARES Act funding and the determination of students that would receive funding. Furthermore, the institution sent communications to students to allow them the ability to apply for additional emergency grant funds.

HEER Quarterly Reporting (Ending 12/31/2021)

June 2022 Quarterly Reporting

Frequently Asked Questions

What expenses are included in the criteria for the CARES grant?

Expenses under a student’s cost of attendance, such as food, housing, course materials, technology, health care, and childcare are included as part of the criteria. Students must have incurred these expenses during the Spring 2020 semester. 

How will I receive the CARES grant?

Eligible students will have the funds sent via direct deposit if you have it set up or you will receive a check in the mail to the address we have on file.

Is an application required to receive the CARES grant?

Eligible students are selected automatically based on their enrollment during the Spring 2020 semester.

If I have an outstanding balance, can funds be applied towards my balance?

No. The CARES Act requires institutions to provide the emergency financial aid grants to students. The institution may not use that portion of the HEERF set aside for emergency financial aid grants to students to satisfy a student’s outstanding account balance.

Will there be CARES grants for the 2020-2021 academic year?

At this time, there will not be requesting additional funding. In accordance with the CARES Act, Columbia College is issuing immediate grants for affected students for all of the funding we have received.