Stimulus fund checks were sent to CS students this week
Starting on Mar. 29, Cincinnati State mailed checks for $500 each to 2,245 currently-enrolled students who are eligible for the second round of Federal Higher Education Emergency Relief Funds (HEERF II).
The grant funds were provided to the College, for distribution directly to students, as part of the Federal Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations (CRRSA) legislation that was approved by Congress in December 2020.
- Cincinnati State received over $2 million in CRRSA funds to be awarded directly to students with “exceptional need” as a result of unexpected expenses due to the disruption of campus operations from COVID-19.
- The College Financial Aid Office prioritized Federal Pell Grant recipients as those who would receive the CRRSA-provided funds.
The initial HEERF funds for students were allocated as part of the CARES Act Federal legislation approved by Congress early in 2020.
- The College received about $2 million for student emergency funds in April 2020 and provided CARES Act emergency funding to about 2,800 students during 2020 Spring and Summer semesters and at the beginning of Fall 2020 semester.
A third round of emergency funds for students is part of the American Rescue Plan Federal legislation that was approved in early March of 2021.
Financial Aid Director Penny Parsons said future disbursements of emergency funds to CState students will take place after the College receives more information about the eligibility criteria and establishes an application process.