Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund (HEERF)

CARES Act: Emergency Financial Aid Grants to Students

30 Day Report – As of May 24, 2020 

Bay Mills Community College received $222,497 from the Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund (HEERF) under the CARES Act, of which $111,249 is designated to provide emergency financial aid grants to students who were impacted by the disruption of campus operations due to coronavirus. Eligible expenses may include those under a student’s cost of attendance, such as food, housing, course materials, technology, health care, and child care. BMCC plans to use the remaining funds to pay for other unexpected expenses or distribute additional emergency grants to students.

The U.S. Department of Education requires a report thirty days (30) from the date of the Grant Award Notification and every forty-five (45) days thereafter.

The following information is being provided to comply with the U.S. Department of Education’s reporting requirements:

1. An acknowledgment that the institution signed and returned to the Department 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.

Bay Mills Community College signed and returned the Certification and Agreement to the U.S. Department of Education on April 14, 2020, and acknowledges that the College intends to use no less than 50% of the funds to provide Emergency Financial Aid Grants to students.

2. The total amount of funds that the institution will receive or has received from the Department pursuant to the institution’s Certification and Agreement [for] Emergency Financial Aid Grants to Students.

On April 24, 2020, Bay Mills Community College was awarded $111,249 to provide emergency financial aid grants to students.

3. The total amount of Emergency Financial Aid Grants distributed to students under Section 18004(a)(1) of the CARES Act as of the date of submission (i.e., as of the 30-day Report and every 45 days thereafter).

As of May 24, 2020, no funds had been distributed. The first check distribution date is scheduled for June 1, 2020.

4. 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 Section 18004(a)(1) of the CARES Act.

Bay Mills Community College determined that 87 students are eligible to participate in programs under Section 484 in Title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965 and met the other eligibility requirements, as determined by the U.S. Department of Education, to receive an emergency financial aid grant. There are potentially 40 additional students who may be eligible if they complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).

We followed the U.S. Department of Education’s guidance and excluded students who were enrolled exclusively in online courses. Unfortunately, this eliminated many students who were Title IV eligible from receiving an emergency financial aid grant. Other students were excluded because they did not meet satisfactory academic progress requirements or were not enrolled in an eligible program.

5. The total number of students who have received an Emergency Financial Aid Grant to students under Section 18004(a)(1) of the CARES Act.

As of May 24, 2020, no students have received an emergency financial aid grant. On June 1, 2020, we plan to issue checks to the 87 students who met the eligibility requirements.

6. The method(s) used by the institution to determine which students receive Emergency Financial Aid Grants and how much they would receive under Section 18004(a)(1) of the CARES Act.

Bay Mills Community College followed the U.S. Department of Education’s regulations and guidance provided in their Frequently Asked Questions to determine the eligibility requirements, which are detailed here. The Financial Aid Director identified the students who met these eligibility requirements for the spring, 2020 semester.

The award amount for the Spring 2020 semester is based on the enrollment status as of March 13, 2020. The following amounts will be awarded:

• Full-Time (12 credits or more) – $1,000
• Three-Quarter Time (9-11 credits) – $750
• Half-Time or Less than Half-Time (1-8 credits) – $500

7. Any instructions, directions, or guidance provided by the institution to students concerning the Emergency Financial Aid Grants.

To distribute the funds more quickly and ensure that all eligible students receive funding, the College identified the eligible students and will send them an email notifying them of the funding, award amount, check distribution date, and how the funds may be used. A letter will also be mailed to the students with the emergency financial aid grant checks.

Students who meet the other eligibility requirements but have not completed a 2019-2020 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), will be sent an email encouraging them to apply before June 30. The College has determined that this is the only practicable way to determine whether these students meet the Title IV eligibility requirements.

The emails and letters will also include a link to the website with detailed information about the CARES Act Student Emergency Grants, which can be found here.

The next report will include the information contained in the letters and emails.