COVID19

Helena College > Financial Aid > COVID19

CRSSAA ACT OF 2021

 

Funding has been allocated under the Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund II (HEERF II) from the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations (CRRSAA) Act that was signed into law on December 27, 2020. These funds have been provided by the federal government to directly support students facing urgent needs related to the COVID-19 pandemic. Helena College University of Montana has disbursed funds as emergency grants to students in accordance with federal guidelines for this funding.

Helena College received $342,814 from the U.S. Department of Education to support students. As of June 25, 2021, these funds have all been distributed. The student share is fully expended. This amount will be updated every fiscal quarter as prescribed by the Federal Department of Education.

Out of the College’s eligible population for the spring 2021 term, three tiers of approximately 447 students were eligible to receive Emergency Financial Grants under CRRSAA.

The methods used to determine which and how many students received emergency fund grants under section 18004(a)(1) of the CRRSA Act follow:

  • Undergraduate degree-seeking students who were enrolled as of February 25, 2021.
  • Students who were enrolled exclusively in online programs were included.
  • Eligible under section 484 in Title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965.
  • Awards will be prioritized based on 2020/2021 Expected Family Contribution (EFC) which is the value calculated because of your 2020/2021 Free Application for Federal Student Aid as of February 25, 2021.
  • Helena College has selected an approach to equitably help as many eligible students as possible, prioritizing needs based on the calculated EFC and institutional cost of attendance with a three-tiered approach.
  • Students will be contacted in need in order to allow for distribution and evaluation of resources.
  • Students will also be pointed towards other entities for assistance, such as SNAP, LIHEAP, and unemployment.
  • Approximately 10% of the CRRSAA student funds were utilized to assist students who submitted an emergency need application. These funds will be disbursed via an application or appeal process that has been distributed via email. 

Instructions, directions, and guidance were provided to eligible students by email and subsequent application. The application certifies that eligible students had a qualifying expense [ 1] or hardship related to COVID-19 campus disruption.

  1. Qualifying expenses include but are not limited to technology and connectivity needs related to distance learning, books and other instructional expenses for online modality, medical/healthcare costs, childcare, and food insecurity.

FAQS

The  Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act of 2021  (CRRSAA) is federal legislation that was signed into law on December 27, 2020. It provides a variety of emergency financial support to individuals and organizations affected by the COVID-19 (novel coronavirus) pandemic. The Act includes a Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund II (HEERF) that provides more than $22 billion in emergency funding to institutions of higher education.
No, CRRSAA grants do not need to be repaid.
No, CRRSAA grants will not impact other financial aid. This is a special grant to help you manage unexpected expenses related to the coronavirus and continue your education despite the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. It will not affect other financial aid you may be eligible to receive.
No, these funds are considered emergency relief and therefore are not taxable.
No additional reports at this time. 

Questions?

Please contact the Financial Aid Office at financialaid@helenacollege.edu with any questions about  CRRSAA  funding.

If you have questions about your refund status, please contact the  Business Office at 406-447-6921.