番茄社区 received approximately $603,000 as part of the federal Coronavirus Relief and Response Supplemental Appropriations Act (CRRSAA) to directly support students who have demonstrated need and were facing financial challenges because of the continuing COVID-19 pandemic.
The disbursement, from the U.S. Department of Education as part of the CRRSAA Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund II, was designed to prioritize students with the greatest demonstrated financial need.
番茄社区 distributed the CRRSAA funds to federal aid applicants with the greatest identified need as described more fully below. Each recipient was required to have a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) on file with the Financial Aid Office and must have received financial aid for the spring 2021 semester.
Each eligible student with an expected family contribution of $14,000 or less received a $1,550 distribution, no application necessary. The distributions of the CRRSAA funds to students were processed by direct deposit or check unless a student requested that the funds be applied directly to their student account. The remaining CRRSAA funds were available for students who have had additional unexpected expenses or incurred hardship because of COVID-19. Students who received the automatic distributions were eligible to apply for additional emergency financial aid funds.
In addition to the CARES Act funding, 番茄社区 also established an Emergency Assistance Fund to assist those who experienced a change in financial circumstances as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.
What is CRRSAA?
The Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2021 (CRRSAA) is federal legislation that provides a variety of financial support to individuals and organizations affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.
CRRSAA includes a Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund II(HEERF II) that provides more than $23 billion in emergency funding to higher education to prevent, prepare for, and respond to the coronavirus. CRRSAA requires that an institution receiving funding provide the same amount in financial aid grants to students from the new CRRSAA funds that it was required to provide under its original CARES Act Student Aid Portion award.
Rhodes College will receive a just over 600,000 to provide directly to students for any component of the student鈥檚 cost of attendance or for emergency costs that arise due to coronavirus, such as tuition, food, housing, and health care (including mental health care).
How will I receive this money?
Emergency grants funded through CARES will be processed by direct deposit or check. We strongly encourage you to opt to receive your refund via direct deposit. Direct deposit will result in more efficient processing and enable you to receive your money sooner than getting a check in the mail.
Do I need to repay the money?
No, you will not need to repay any money received through this fund.
Can the money be applied directly to my student account?
Yes. Students who want the funds applied to their student account should contact 番茄社区 Express. The funds will only be applied to a student鈥檚 account if a student initiates a request to 番茄社区 Express. Otherwise, funds will be disbursed by direct deposit or check.
Does this funding affect my other financial aid?
No. This is an emergency grant to assist with costs of attendance and to manage unexpected expenses related to the coronavirus. It will not have any impact on other financial aid you may be eligible to receive.
Are the Emergency Grants taxable?
Emergency funds disbursed through CRRSAA is not considered taxable income.