HIGHER EDUCATION EMERGENCY RELIEF FUND III (HEERF III) REPORT FOR STUDENT PORTION OF AMERICAN RESCUE PLAN (ARP), SIGNED INTO LAW, MARCH 11, 2021, PUBLIC LAW 117-2

Summary

Fullerton College has signed and returned to the Department the Certification and Agreement for ARP and intends to use no less than 50 percent of the funds that were received under the ARP Act to provide Emergency Financial Aid Grants to students, for HEERF III, under ARP. The same methodology was used for ARP Act funds.

Fullerton College will award funds over the summer 2021 semester, beginning July 21st, 2021.

The estimated total number of 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 to students under the ARP Act is about 50% of our Total Student Population.

The methodology used for student selection was structured using eligibility determined by the Department of Education. This used student data from the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) as well as enrollment data to determine student eligibility for the first round of awards. Eligible students must be enrolled for summer 2021, and eligible for the FAFSA, completing all eligibility requirements (U.S. citizens or eligible non-citizens, males registered with Selective Service, be a high school graduate or GED, or otherwise meet ATB (Ability to Benefit) requirements.

Unlike HEERF I, HEERF III greatly expanded eligibility (much like HEERF II). Students do not need to meet SAP (Satisfactory Academic Progress) or in Probation status, and completing verification requirements. Additionally, the requirement was removed where a student needed to apply or opt-in to certify that they had COVID related expenses for HEERF III, so this requirement was removed, as it was for HEERF II. Students are also now allowed to be in an on-line program, which was not allowed for HEERF I.

Students needed only to: 1. Complete a FAFSA (or CADAA, as applicable) and have a valid processed record with EFC (Expected Family Contribution) listing Fullerton College 2. Be currently enrolled in at least .5 units or more at Fullerton College at the time of awarding, and 3. Be considered a Fullerton College student.

Priority is first given to any student awarded a Pell Grant as of July 15th, 2021. Subject to available funding, the second category to be awarded will be students who may not be awarded Pell Grant, but based in order of EFC from lowest EFC to highest. Finally, as funding permits, we will award students who have a valid FAFSA record (ISIR) and are currently enrolled, irrespective of their EFC. Funding will continue until all funds are exhausted.

For fall 2021, Priority is first given to any student awarded a Pell Grant as of September 17, 2021. Subject to available funding, the second category to be awarded will be students who may not be awarded Pell Grant, but based in order of EFC from lowest EFC to highest. Finally, as funding permits, we will award students who have a valid FAFSA record (ISIR) and are currently enrolled, irrespective of their EFC, as of September 17th, 2021. Funding will continue until all funds are exhausted.

For spring 2022, Priority is first given to any student awarded a Pell Grant as of February 16, 2022. Subject to available funding, the second category to be awarded will be students who may not be awarded Pell Grant, but based in order of EFC from lowest EFC to highest. Finally, as funding permits, we will award students who have a valid FAFSA record (ISIR) and are currently enrolled, irrespective of their EFC, as of February 26, 2022. Funding will continue until all funds are exhausted.

​SCHOOL ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

Fullerton College has signed and returned the certification and agreement form, and intends to use the funds to provide emergency financial aid grants to students, in an amount equal to the student portion of HEERF I, HEERF II and HEERF III.

FUNDS AVAILABLE TO STUDENTS

The total amount of HEERF funds available to students = $4,850,367.00

FUNDS DISBURSED/APPROVED TO STUDENTS

Amount distributed to students as of date of report:  $459,000.

Total Number of Students Eligible for Title IV Federal Aid, and Therefore Eligible for HEERF 2 Emergency Funds Total students who met criteria: 9,433 students as of July 21, 2021

Total students disbursed funds: 918 students

Amount of Grant: Eligible students were awarded $500 in emergency aid.

Fall 2021

8,429 students were awarded $1000, for a total of $8,429,000.00.

Spring 2022

6,775 students were awarded $1000, for a total of $6,775,000

Summer 2022

3,181 students were awarded $705, for a total of $2,242,605.00.

Summer 2022 California Emergency Financial Aid

17 students received a California Emergency Financial Aid Grant in the amount of $705, in lieu of a HEERF Grant. This grant required a minimum of 6 units in summer, a 2.0 or higher GPA, and the student needed to be a FAFSA recipient meeting citizenship eligibility requirements, and have received a CCPG. These grants were paid up to available funding, which is now exhausted.

17 students were awarded $705, for a total of $11,985.00.

Fall 2022

FHERF3 HEERF: 6 grants paid total $3000
FCAEMR State Emergency: 4 for $2000
FCAEM2 State Emergency: 2 = 0

Spring 2023

Total students awarded: 3,717
Total disbursed: $2,422,179

Fall 2023

FCAEMR State Emergency: 29 for $13,459

 

 

Summer 2021 Policy for Determining Which Students Did, or Will Receive Emergency Financial Aid Grant and How Much Funding They Did or Will Receive

  1. The Fullerton College Financial Aid Office reviewed all students as of Thursday, July 15th, 2021, to verify the student has completed a FAFSA application, with a valid output record (ISIR) with EFC, listing Fullerton College, and is currently as of Thursday, July 15th, 2021 a Fullerton College student, enrolled in .5 units or more. Priority is first given to any student awarded a Pell Grant as of July 15th. Subject to available funding, the second category to be awarded will be students who may not be awarded Pell Grant, but based in order of EFC from lowest EFC to highest. Finally, as funding permits, we will award students who have a valid FAFSA record (ISIR) and are currently enrolled, irrespective of their EFC. Funding will continue until all funds are exhausted.
    2. Students who met these requirements will be awarded $500, as funding permits. Students who are awarded, receive a notification via email “Financial Aid Offer”, and which is also made viewable in the myGateway student portal. Disbursement is made, and funds were sent to Bank Mobile, via our normal financial aid refund process. Any student not eligible for Bank Mobile account will be sent a paper check, beginning July 21st, 2021, until funds are exhausted.3. If funding permits, During the subsequent weekly rounds, the Financial Aid Office will also consider later applicants who had not applied by the date of the first round.

Fall 2021 Policy for Determining Which Students Did, or Will Receive Emergency Financial Aid Grant and How Much Funding They Did or Will Receive

  1. The Fullerton College Financial Aid Office reviewed all students as of Friday, September 17th, 2021, to verify the student has completed a FAFSA application, with a valid output record (ISIR) with EFC for 2021/2022, listing Fullerton College, and is currently as of Friday September 21st, 2021 a Fullerton College student, enrolled in .5 units or more. Priority is first given to any student awarded a Pell Grant as of September 17th, 2021. Subject to available funding, the second category to be awarded will be students who may not be awarded Pell Grant, but based in order of EFC from lowest EFC to highest. Finally, as funding permits, we will award students who have a valid FAFSA record (ISIR) and are currently enrolled, irrespective of their EFC. Funding will continue until all funds are exhausted.
  2. Students who met these requirements will be awarded $1000, as funding permits. Students who are awarded, receive a notification via email “Financial Aid Offer”, and which is also made viewable in the myGateway student portal. Disbursement is made, and funds were sent to Bank Mobile, via our normal financial aid refund process, in mid-October, 2021. Any student not eligible for Bank Mobile account will be sent a paper check, beginning mid-October 2021, until funds are exhausted.

Spring 2022 Policy for Determining Which Students Did, or Will Receive Emergency Financial Aid Grant and How Much Funding They Did or Will Receive

  1. The Fullerton College Financial Aid Office reviewed all students as of Wednesday, February 16th, 2022, to verify the student has completed a FAFSA application, with a valid output record (ISIR) with EFC for 2021/2022, listing Fullerton College, and is currently as of Wednesday, February 16th, 2022 a Fullerton College student, enrolled in .5 units or more. Priority is first given to any student awarded a Pell Grant as of February 16th, 2022. Subject to available funding, the second category to be awarded will be students who may not be awarded Pell Grant, but based in order of EFC from lowest EFC to highest. Finally, as funding permits, we will award students who have a valid FAFSA record (ISIR) and are currently enrolled, irrespective of their EFC. Funding will continue until all funds are exhausted.
  2. Students who met these requirements will be awarded $1000, as funding permits. Students who are awarded, receive a notification via email “Financial Aid Offer”, and which is also made viewable in the myGateway student portal. Disbursement is made, and funds were sent to Bank Mobile, via our normal financial aid refund process, in early-March 2022. Any student not eligible for Bank Mobile account will be sent a paper check, beginning mid-March 2022, until funds are exhausted. A final review and awarding of late applicants was made April 7, 2022 using the same criterion, these students were awarded and disbursed mid-April 2022.

Summer 2022 Policy for Determining Which Students Did, or Will Receive Emergency Financial Aid Grant and How Much Funding They Did or Will Receive

  1. The Fullerton College Financial Aid Office reviewed all students as of Tuesday, August16th, 2022, to verify the student has completed a FAFSA application, with a valid output record (ISIR) with EFC for 2021/2022, listing Fullerton College, and is currently as of Tuesday, August 16th, 2022 a Fullerton College student, enrolled in .5 units or more. Priority is first given to any student awarded a Pell Grant as of August 16th, 2022. Subject to available funding, the second category to be awarded will be students who may not be awarded Pell Grant, but based in order of EFC from lowest EFC to highest. Finally, as funding permits, we will award students who have a valid FAFSA record (ISIR) and are currently enrolled, irrespective of their EFC. Funding will continue until all funds are exhausted.
  2. Students who met these requirements will be awarded $705, as funding permits. Students who are awarded, receive a notification via email “Financial Aid Offer”, and which is also made viewable in the myGateway student portal. Disbursement is made, and funds were sent to Bank Mobile, via our normal financial aid refund process, in late-August 2022. Any student not eligible for Bank Mobile account will be sent a paper check, beginning late-August 2022, until funds are exhausted. Due to availability of funds, there is no late review or subsequent disbursement.

Fall 2022 Policy for Determining Which Students Did, or Will Receive Emergency Financial Aid Grant and How Much Funding They Did or Will Receive

Due to the limited funding remaining for HEERF funds, applications will be accepted on a rolling basis, until funds are exhausted. Applications should be submitted directly to the Fullerton College Financial Aid Office. Disbursement totals will be updated here on a monthly basis. Application (pdf) can be downloaded here.

FHERF3 HEERF: 6 grants paid total $3000
FCAEMR State Emergency: 4 for $2000
FCAEM2 State Emergency: 2 = 0

Spring 2023 Policy for Determining Which Student did, or Will Receive Emergency Financial Aid Grant and How Much Funding They Did or Will Receive

Due to the limited funding remaining for HEERF funds, students were considered for HEERF , providing they were currently enrolled at Fullerton College as of February 22nd, with at least some active attending classes (not late start), and in one of the following priority groups:

  • California Dreamer (AB540 status) with valid CADAA on file for 22/23 academic year
  • Student with valid 22/23 FAFSA on file, with paid Pell Grant and SEOG for spring 2023 semester
  • Student with valid 22/23 FAFSA on file, with paid Pell Grant for spring semester 2023 semester

Funding was used from available HEERF funds, as well as State emergency funds. Eligible students received the same dollar award from only one of the funding sources. Students awarded received a revised Offer of Financial Aid via email. Grants were disbursed Friday, February 24th, and will be refunded via electronic deposit to Bank Mobile (or paper check if the student did not activate a Bank Mobile refund preference.)

For State emergency funds, students also needed to have remaining financial need on their Offer of Financial Aid, in order to be awarded. Some emergency funds also required enrolled of at least six units for State funding.

  • Emergency grants for the spring 2023 semester are $500 each.

913 Students were awarded $452,706.80 from HEERF Funds

4,607 Students were awarded $2,303,500 from State Emergency Funds

Fall 2023 Policy for Determining which student received emergency aid

The HEERF program ended June 30th, 2023, however a very limited amount of State Emergency Funds remained. Students were considered who were still full time, had a completed financial aid application, and who were eligible for CCPG, with the highest unmet need until funds were exhausted. The grant amount was $500, and allowed 29 students to be awarded and paid, before all remaining funds were depleted.

Instructions/Announcements for Students

  •  Due to the relaxed requirements for the grant, with no application, there is no advertisement of the grant offering other than this page on the COVID 19 homepage for Fullerton College.

IRS Instructions for CARES Act funds for tax purposes

Click here for more information on the IRS website

Support Provided with Non-Federal Financial Aid

Fullerton College will also award aid for AB540 and DACA students, who were not eligible for HEERF II. These grants, using State funding sources, will also be in the amount of $500 and will be awarded to enrolled students who met that criteria. More information will follow once those funds are received by the State. It is anticipated there will also be no application process.

Summer 2021

State Emergency Grant – 33 students awarded and paid $500 each, for a total of $16,500.

Fall 2021

California State Emergency Funding: These grants, using State funding sources, will also be in the amount of $500 and will be awarded to enrolled students who met that criteria. Students needed to be considered AB540 or DACA, and have enrolled in 6 units for fall at the time of award, and have a valid CADAA application on file for 2021/2022.

State Emergency Grant – 206 students awarded and paid $500 each, for a total of $102,750.

Spring 2022

Since AB540 and DACA students are now eligible for HEERF III, students were awarded a HEERF III grant with a valid CADAA on file with EFC and enrollment of .5 units or more. Therefore, the remaining State Emergency Grant funds were awarded to students who completed a FAFSA with valid EFC and had six or more semester units and a cumulative GPA of 2.0 or above, until funds were exhausted. These students for spring received a $1000.00 State Emergency Grant in lieu of a HEERF Grant.

State Emergency Grant- 1291 students awarded and paid $1000 each, for a total of $$1,291,250.00

Summer 2022

Since AB540 and DACA students are now eligible for HEERF III, students were awarded a HEERF III grant with a valid CADAA on file with EFC and enrollment of .5 units or more.. These students for summer received a $705.00 HEERF Grant.

State Emergency Grant. Totals are included in the Summer 2022 HEERF amounts.

Updated January 10, 2024