Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund (HEERF)

The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act) was signed into law on March 27, 2020. The CARES Act allotted $2.2 trillion for economic aid to the American people negatively impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Of the $2.2 trillion, approximately $14 billion was allocated to the U.S. Office of Postsecondary Education as the Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund (HEERF) and distributed to U.S. institutions of higher education.

On December 27, 2020, the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act (CRRSAA) was signed into law. The CRRSAA provides an additional $22.1 billion through the Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund (HEERF II) to address needs directly related to the coronavirus.

After this, the American Rescue Plan (ARP) was signed into law on March 11, 2021 and provided $39.6 billion in support to institutions of higher education under the Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund (HEERF III) to serve students and ensure learning continues during the COVID-19 pandemic.

BMCC HEERF Funding Overview

Bay Mills Community College received the following supplemental grants from the Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund (HEERF I, II, and III):

Student Portion – $676,630, which is designated to provide financial aid grants to students.
Institutional Portion - $845,701, which may be used to defray expenses associated with the coronavirus; carry out student support activities that address needs related to the coronavirus; and make additional financial aid grants to students.
Tribally Controlled Colleges and Universities (TCCUs) - $6,701,244, which may be used to defray expenses associated with the coronavirus; carry out student support activities that address needs related to the coronavirus; and make additional financial aid grants to students.

Student Grant Information: From Spring 2020, Fall 2020, Spring 2021, Summer 2021, and Fall 2021

To avoid confusion, previous information about the HEERF grants for prior semesters were removed from this webpage, but may be found at the following links:

HEERF Grants for Spring, 2020

HEERF Grants for Fall, 2020

HEERF Grants for Spring, 2021

HEERF Grants for Summer, 2021

HEERF Grants for Fall, 2021

CRRSAA (HEERF II) and ARP (HEERF III) – Student Grant Information: Spring 2022 Semester

Similar to the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act with HEERF I funds, the CRRSAA - HEERF II and ARP - HEERF III funds are distributed as grants with appropriate use stipulations. The HEERF student grants under the CRRSAA and ARP Act must be used to cover expenses related to the student’s cost of attendance or for emergency costs that arise due to the coronavirus, such as tuition, food, housing, health care (including mental health care), or childcare. Unlike the CARES Act, the CRRSAA and ARP Act require institutions to prioritize students with exceptional need, such as students who receive Pell grants, and authorizes grants to students exclusively enrolled in distance education.

Beginning with the summer, 2021 semester, BMCC will use the term “HEERF student grant” for the student grants awarded under the CRRSAA and ARP Act.

Eligibility

Our goal is to distribute the HEERF student grants as widely and equitably as possible, while prioritizing students with the greatest need. We recognize that all of our students have been impacted by the coronavirus pandemic and have faced financial challenges.

To be eligible, students must meet the following criteria:

Be a U.S. citizen or national, permanent resident, or other eligible noncitizen.
Obtained a high school diploma, GED, or completion of high school in an approved homeschool setting, with transcripts on file with BMCC. This requirement may be waived for students admitted to special programs, such as native studies.
Must use the HEERF student grant to cover expenses from any component of the student’s cost of attendance and/or emergency costs that arise due to the coronavirus, such as tuition, food, housing, health care (including mental health care), or childcare incurred after March 13, 2020.
Be enrolled in at least one credit hour as of February 12, 2022. Students who have completely withdrawn or stopped attending all of their classes before February 12, 2022 are not eligible for a HEERF student grant.
Dual enrolled high school students are not eligible for funding.

Award Amounts

BMCC will calculate the award for Spring 2022 semester based on student enrollment status as of February 12, 2022. BMCC is using a 3-tier approach to prioritize students with exceptional financial need based on the Expected Family Contribution (EFC) as determined by the FAFSA.

Table of Award Amounts Based on Student Status
Student Status	$0 EFC	$1-$5,846 EFC	>$5,846 EFC or No FAFSA
Full Time (12 credits or more)	$2,000	$1,500	$1,000
Three-Quarter Time (9-11 credits)	$1,500	$1,125	$750
Half Time (6-8 credits)	$1,000	$750	$500
Less than Half Time (1-5 credits)	$500	$375	$250

Application Process

To ease the burden on students and distribute these funds more quickly, an application will not be required. BMCC has identified which students meet the eligibility requirements and will notify them by email.

Checks will be issued and mailed to the student address on file. By accepting the payment, students are certifying that they will use the HEERF student grant to cover expenses from any component of their cost of attendance and/or emergency costs that arise due to the coronavirus, such as tuition, food, housing, health care (including mental health care), or childcare incurred after March 13, 2020.

Students will receive this funding directly, unless the student has given written, affirmative consent to apply the grant toward the student’s account balance.

Check Distribution Dates

BMCC will mail checks to students on March 3, 2022.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will I have to repay the HEERF student grant I receive?
- No. These are grants and do not have to be paid back.

Will this funding affect my financial aid in the future?
- No. This grant will not be used in calculating your current or future financial aid awards.

What if I owe BMCC for tuition and/or other fees?
- BMCC issued the full amount of the HEERF student grant directly by check. Any outstanding balance owed to BMCC will remain the responsibility of the student.

I think I am eligible but did not receive a HEERF student grant. Who should I contact?
- Please contact the Financial Aid Staff at [email protected].

Do I need to keep receipts of how these funds were spent?
- No. BMCC will not require receipts or other documentation of how you spent the funds, but you are required to use the HEERF student grant to cover expenses from any component of your cost of attendance and/or emergency costs that arise due to the coronavirus, such as tuition, food, housing, health care (including mental health care), or childcare incurred after March 13, 2020.

Is this funding taxable?
- No, the HEERF student grant is not taxable income.

Other Resources

U.S. Department of Education CARES Act: Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund https://www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ope/caresact.html
U.S. Department of Education CRRSAA: Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund (HEERF II) https://www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ope/crrsaa.html
U.S. Department of Education ARP: American Rescue Plan (HEERF III) https://www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ope/arp.html
National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators (NASFAA) - Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund II (HEERF II) Reference Page https://www.nasfaa.org/heerf_ii
National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators (NASFAA) - Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund III (HEERF III) Reference Page https://www.nasfaa.org/heerf_iii
NACUBO – IRS Revises 1098-T Guidance on Emergency Grants to Students - https://www.nacubo.org/News/2021/4/IRS-Revises-1098T-Guidance-on-Emergency-Grants-to-Students