Students can apply for stimulus funding to pay College debt & get emergency grants

Nearly 2,000 Cincinnati State students who owe the College money for debt incurred during the 2020-21 academic year can apply now for funds to help pay their past-due balance and get back on track with their education.

Eligible students who attended Cincinnati State in Fall semester 2020, or Spring or Summer semesters in 2021, have until Aug. 27, 2021, to apply for up to $5,000 for College debt relief, as well as up to $1,000 as a personal emergency grant.

The funds for students were provided to the College through the American Rescue Plan Act that was approved by Congress in March 2021. This is the third set of pandemic emergency funds provided by the federal government to higher education institutions.

An email message was sent to 1,944 eligible students (using both College and personal email) on Monday, Aug. 2, to explain how to apply for debt relief and personal emergency grant funds.

Director of Financial Aid Penny Parsons said more than 60 students had applied for funds within a few hours after the email message was distributed.

• To apply for funds, students must first log into MyCState and then complete the eForm American Rescue Plan (ARP) Emergency Grant Fund.
   
• Funds will be awarded on a first-come, first-served basis (determined by the date the eForm is submitted).

For eligible students who complete the application, debt relief funding will be used to post a “credit” to the student’s past-due account.

• Students who owe more than $5,000 will still be responsible for paying off the rest of their debt to the College.
   
• After a balance owed is paid, students can register for classes and/or order transcripts.
   
• If a student’s account has been turned over to the Ohio Attorney General’s office for non-payment, the College will recall the amount and waive accrued fees and interest.

Emergency grant funding can be used to help pay for expenses such as housing, food, technology, health care, and/or child care. A check for the emergency fund amount will be mailed directly to the student.

Students with questions can contact:

• Financial Aid Office – fam@cincinnatistate.edu or (513) 569-1530, option 5
   
• Cashier’s Office – cashier@cincinnatistate.edu or (513) 569-1580, optiion 3

Faculty program chairs who want to find out which of their students are eligible for these funds can get more information from their Dean.