CARES Act/HEERF Emergency Financial Aid Grants for Students
July 10, 2023 -- Award amount determinations for the final ARP direct student aid disbursements were based on the following methodology: ARP Funding Methodology.
Report and Previous Announcements
April 22, 2022 -- Due to the longevity of the Coronavirus pandemic, PVCC has received three installments of the Higher Education Emergency Relief Funds (HEERF). The third installment, HEERF III, is part of the American Rescue Plan (ARP) Act of 2021, Public Law 117-2. HEERF III, like the two preceding HEERF grants, provided PVCC with funds to help students as they adjust to ongoing expenses related to the pandemic. PVCC will disburse these funds directly to students. Each student's April 2022 award amount reflects the student's status with respect to specific eligibility criteria. Award amount determinations for eligible students were based on the following methodology: ARP Funding Methodology
Reports and Previous Announcements
December 2, 2021 -- Due to the longevity of the Coronavirus pandemic, PVCC has received three installments of the Higher Education Emergency Relief Funds (HEERF). The third installment, HEERF III, is part of the American Rescue Plan (ARP) Act of 2021, Public Law 117-2. HEERF III, like the two preceding HEERF grants, provided PVCC with funds to help students as they adjust to ongoing expenses related to the pandemic. PVCC will disburse these funds directly to students. Each student's December 2021 award amount reflects the student's status with respect to specific eligibility criteria. Award amount determinations for eligible students were based on the following methodology: ARP Funding Methodology.
PVCC recognizes that many students are experiencing expenses related to the disruption of campus operations as a result of the COVID-19 national crisis. PVCC received a Higher Education Emergency Relief Funds (HEERF) grant created under the Coronavirus Aid Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act, which will be used to advance our commitment to helping students affected by the current COVID-19 crisis. PVCC will use these funds to provide one-time CARES Act student emergency aid to eligible students, which will be awarded as one-time grants to approximately 1,659 students.
CARES Act Emergency Aid
Eligibility Requirements set forth by the CARES Act and the Department of Education
Funding provided to PVCC under the CARES Act is available only to spring 2020 students who are Title IV eligible and have experienced increased eligible educational expenses due to the impact of COVID-19. Title IV eligible students must also meet the following criteria to qualify for the one-time student emergency grants:
→ Be enrolled in at least 6 college credit hours that were being delivered onsite at PVCC on March 13, 2020, the date of the National Emergency Declaration.
Availability of CARES Act Student Emergency Grants
→ The funds available are limited. While this funding is available, PVCC will award one-time CARES Act student emergency grants up to $1,000 to eligible students.
→ PVCC will continue to award funds to eligible students until these funds are exhausted. Funds will be distributed to eligible students upon approval.
→ Learn more about the CARES Act funding methodology.
Piedmont Virginia Community College received $946,219 from the U.S. Department of Education CARES Act grant for direct student aid. PVCC signed and returned to the U.S. Department of Education the Certification and Agreement and the assurance that the institution has used, or intends to use, no less than 50 percent of the funds received under Section 18004 (a)(1) of the CARES Act to provide Emergency Financial Aid Grants to students. As of April 4, 2021, PVCC had disbursed $946,219 to 1,294 students. All CARES Act direct student support funds have been disbursed and 100% of the cost of this direct student support was funded by the U.S. Department of Education CARES Act (HEERF I).
Piedmont Virginia Community College also received $946,219 from the U.S. Department of Education through the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2021 (CRRSAA) for direct student support. PVCC accepted the U.S. Department of Education Certification and Agreement and the assurance that the institution has used, or intends to use, no less than $946,219 to provide Emergency Financial Aid Grants to students. As of April 4, 2021, PVCC had disbursed $946,219 to 1,073 students. All CRRSAA direct student support funds have been disbursed, and 100% of the cost of this direct student support was funded by the U.S. Department of Education Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund II (HEERF II).
PVCC's HEERF II funding distribution methodology for student aid followed guidance from the Office of Postsecondary Education CRRSAA: Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund webpage. For students to be eligible to participate in programs under Section 484 in Title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965, as amended (HEA), they will have an Estimated Financial Contribution (EFC) of less than $35,999. PVCC used the same four-tier method for determining award amounts that the college used for distribution of CARES Act student aid awards. CRRSAA Funding Methodology
An additional $3,863,290 of direct student aid was received from the U.S. Department of Education American Rescue Plan (ARP) Act of 2021 (HEERF III). PVCC accepted the U.S. Department of Education Certification and Agreement and the assurance that the institution has used, or intends to use, designated HEERF student aid funds to provide direct aid to students. An estimated 2,905 students were found to be eligible for ARP student aid funds. As of January 10, 2022, PVCC had disbursed $2,032,000 of ARP student portion aid to 2,709 students. The report can be found here. The remaining funds will be disbursed to an estimated 2,500 students in Spring 2022.
PVCC's quarterly reports on Institutional and Strengthening Institution Program Funds are provided below:
Quarter Ending on September 30, 2020 Report
Quarter Ending on December 31, 2020 Report
Quarter Ending on March 31, 2021 Report
Quarter Ending on June 30, 2021 Report
Quarter Ending on September 30, 2021 Report
Quarter Ending on December 31, 2021 Report
Quarter Ending on March 31, 2022 Report
PVCC's quarterly reports on Institutional, Student, and Strengthening Institution Program Funds are provided below. Please note that the June 30, 2022 report is the first quarterly report in which Student Portion Funds are included in a single document with Institutional and Strengthening Institutional Program Funds.
Quarter Ending on June 30, 2022 Report
Quarter Ending on September 30, 2022 Report
Quarter Ending on December 31, 2022 Report
Quarter Ending on March 31, 2023 Report
Quarter Ending on June 30, 2023 Report
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is eligible?
The CARES Act emergency aid fund provides emergency financial aid grants to students for expenses related to the disruption of campus operations due to coronavirus, including eligible expenses under a student’s cost of attendance, such as food, housing, course materials, technology, health care, and child care. If you have such COVID-19-related expenses, were enrolled in at least six credits on March 13, 2020 that were not exclusively online or at a correctional facility, and you filed a 2019-20 FAFSA and/or meet federal financial aid eligibility requirements, you are eligible.
What are the CARES Act Funds?
The Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund (HEERF) provided $6 billion to colleges nationwide for emergency student financial aid to be distributed to enrolled students who are Title IV eligible and have expenses related to campus disruption due to the COVID–19 pandemic. The CARES allocation will help PVCC students with the financial burden caused by the COVID-19 crisis and assist with the costs of attending college by providing money directly to students. PVCC will distribute $946,219, the amount designated to PVCC for the student emergency grants, to be awarded as a one-time grant up to $1,000 to approximately 1,659 students.
How much money can I get?
The maximum award is $1,000 and the minimum is $300. This is a one-time award. Funds will be released directly to you per your PVCC refund choice and will not be used to pay any amount owed to PVCC.
When will I receive the funds?
Students who completed a 2019-20 FAFSA, meet the eligibility requirements, and have an Estimated Family Contribution (EFC) less than $36,000, will receive an e-mail detailing the award amount and the expected date of disbursement.
For students who need to complete the application, once your CARES Act student aid application has been approved, the funds will be released to you within one week. Your funds will arrive most promptly if you selected direct deposit as your refund choice with PVCC. Paper checks will be dependent upon mail service.
How will I receive the funds?
If you are eligible, the funds will be released to you based on your selected refund preference at PVCC. If you have not selected a refund preference, the funds will be released to you by paper check. Make sure your address is up-to-date in MyPVCC.
Who is an eligible non-citizen?
- A U.S. national (includes natives of American Samoa or Swain’s Island)
- A U.S. permanent resident who has an I-151, I-551 or I-551C (Permanent Resident Card)
- If you’re not in one of these categories, you must have an Arrival-Departure Record (I-94) from U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) showing one of the following designations:
- “Refugee”
- “Asylum Granted”
- “Cuban-Haitian Entrant, Status Pending”
- “Conditional Entrant” (valid only if issued before April 1, 1980)
- “Parolee” (You must be paroled into the United States for at least one year, and you must be able to provide evidence from the USCIS that you are in the United States for other than a temporary purpose and that you intend to become a U.S. citizen or permanent resident.)
- If you have only a Notice of Approval to Apply for Permanent Residence (I-171 or I-464), you’re not eligible for federal student financial aid.
- If you’re in the United States on certain visas, including an F1 or F2 student visa, or a J1 or J2 exchange visitor visa, you’re not eligible for federal student financial aid.
- Also, people with G series visas (pertaining to international organizations) are not eligible for federal student financial aid.
- If you have questions about your citizenship eligibility, please contact the Office of Financial Aid at finaid@pvcc.edu
Will the CARES Act grant negatively affect my financial aid for this year/next year?
No. This grant will not be used in calculating your current or future financial aid awards.
Who will receive funds?
PVCC will award emergency financial aid funds from the CARES Act to the following groups of students, under the following conditions:
Group 1: Spring 2020 enrolled students who are in a degree program, enrolled in six or more credits, have a 2019-20 FAFSA on file with PVCC, meet the Section 484 in Title IV of the Higher Education Act (HEA) of 1965 criteria, are not taking classes exclusively online or taking classes at a correctional facility, and have an Expected Family Contribution (EFC) from the FAFSA of $0. These students will receive a $1,000 award.
Group 2: Spring 2020 enrolled students who are in a degree program, enrolled in six or more credits, have a 2019-20 FAFSA on file with PVCC, meet the H Section 484 in Title IV of the Higher Education Act (HEA) of 1965criteria, are not exclusively online or taking classes at a correctional facility, and have an Expected Family Contribution (EFC) from the FAFSA of $1 to $5,999. These students will receive a $800 award.
Group 3: Spring 2020 enrolled students who are in a degree program, enrolled in six or more credits, have a 2019-20 FAFSA on file with PVCC, meet the Section 484 in Title IV of the Higher Education Act (HEA) of 1965 criteria, are not exclusively online or taking classes at a correctional facility, and have an Expected Family Contribution (EFC) from the FAFSA of $6,000 to $11,999. These students will receive a $600 award.
Group 4: Spring 2020 enrolled students who are in a degree program, enrolled in six or more credits, have a 2019-20 FAFSA on file with PVCC, meet the Section 484 in Title IV of the Higher Education Act (HEA) of 1965 criteria, are not exclusively online or taking classes at a correctional facility, and have an Expected Family Contribution (EFC) from the FAFSA of $12,000 to $35,999. These students will receive a $400 award.
Awarded by Application Group: Spring 2020 enrolled students who are in a degree program, enrolled in six or more credits, have a 2019-20 FAFSA on file with PVCC, meet the Section 484 in Title IV of the Higher Education Act (HEA) of 1965 criteria, are not exclusively online or taking classes at a correctional facility, and have an Expected Family Contribution (EFC) from the FAFSA greater than $36,000 or who PVCC has determined may be eligible. These students will have to submit an application to further determine eligibility. These students will receive a $300 award.
If I don’t qualify for the CARES Act, are there other grants available?
All students are encouraged to complete the FAFSA to determine eligibility for federal, state, Virginia Community College System (VCCS) and institutional funds. If you don't qualify for the CARES Act student aid, you might qualify for other assistance through the limited PVCC Educational Foundation funds.
Can the Financial Aid Office help me for '20-'21 if my household income has changed?
At times, an income change can lead to increased financial aid eligibility for a student. Other times, it does not. The only way to find out how an income change will impact your eligibility is to go through the Income Reduction Appeal process in the Office of Financial Aid. Note that the CARES Act student aid funding cannot be awarded on the basis of an income reduction.
Can I request CARES Act funds for the Fall 2020 term?
At this time, PVCC is scheduled to resume normal operations for the Fall 2020 term. As a result, there would not be any qualifying campus disruptions due to COVID-19 warranting award of funds.
I graduated at the end of the spring '20 term. Does assistance cover expenses incurred during that time?
Yes. Students who had qualifying expenses during that term are still eligible to receive assistance.
Can undocumented/international students receive CARES Act emergency financial aid?
No. International and undocumented students are not eligible for CARES Act funding.
Is the money I receive from the CARES Act taxable?
According to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), "Emergency financial aid grants under the CARES Act for unexpected expenses, unmet financial need, or expenses related to the disruption of campus operations on account of the COVID-19 pandemic, such as unexpected expenses for food, housing, course materials, technology, health care, or childcare, are qualified disaster relief payments under section 139 of the Internal Revenue Code. This grant is not includible in your gross income." Visit the IRS website for more details.
I received notification for an award but I don’t have a refund method. What should I do?
You can sign up for direct deposit by going to https://pvcc.afford.com/, or you can simply wait and a check will be mailed to the mailing address on file at PVCC.
My mailing address has changed. What do I do?
Call the Business Office at 434.961.5212.
What if I have other questions?
The Office of Financial Aid is here to help answer your questions. Contact the office at finaid@pvcc.edu.
I think I am eligible, what do I do?
Eligible students will receive an email in their PVCC student email account. Please make sure you check the SPAM or Junk folder of your student email. If you are not sure what your student email is, contact Contact IT Support Services at help@pvcc.edu or call 434.961.5261.