Overview

Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund I & II – (FUND CLOSED)
Cares Act Grant Program

August 25, 2020

Charles A. Jones Career and Education Center

Institutional Report Describing Use of Funds

Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund

Financial Grants to Students

HEERF I – Summer, Fall 2020 and Spring 2021

HEERF II – 2021, 2022

Pursuant to the Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund (HEERF), Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2021 (CRRSAA), this notice is posted to inform you that you are eligible to receive a HEERF II emergency grant if you are an enrolled at Charles A. Jones Career and Education Center (CAJ).

As you pursue your education with CAJ, we realize the negative impact that the COVID-19 pandemic continues to have on students, and we are pleased to be able to provide some relief by issuing HEERF emergency grants to eligible students. The funds provided by HEERF are grants, so they do not need to be repaid.

Emergency HEERF grants to students can be used for expenses related to the disruption of campus operations due to coronavirus (including eligible expenses under a student’s cost of attendance, such as food, housing, course materials, technology, health care, and child care).

All enrolled CAJ students since January 1, 2021 will receive some relief under HEERF II, so please follow the following steps to confirm which type of grant you will receive:

If you have been participating in a program that offers Federal Financial Aid you should complete your FAFSA. The website is https://studentaid.gov/h/apply-for-aid/fafsa. You can also contact the CAJ Financial Aid Specialist for more information by sending an email to NiniDu@scusd.edu

If you have been participating in any other CAJ program (CTE, Academic, ESL, Citizenship) or if you know you know you are not eligible for Federal Financial Aid, you should complete a Financial Needs Assessment with the CAJ Job Center. Please call the Job Center at (916) 395-5802 or contact your Job Coach to make an appointment to complete a Financial Needs Assessment.

All enrolled CAJ students since January 1, 2021 will receive some kind of relief based on family income and family size, expected family contribution for federal financial aid or review of a Financial Needs Assessment with the Job Center. Eligibility will be reviewed monthly, and checks will be generated according to eligibility criteria. There may also be additional funding available to students who have excessive need so please complete the FAFSA or Financial Needs Assessment for a full evaluation.

Question: What are HEERF I and HEERF II?

In Summer 2020, CAJ Signed and returned to the Department of Education the Certification Agreement and the assurance that the institution has used the applicable amount of funds designated under Cares Act Section 18004(a)(1), which was considered HEERF I. In Spring 2021, CAJ signed and returned to the Department of Education the Certification Agreement and the assurance that the institution has used the applicable amount of funds designated under the CRRSAA and ARP (a)(1) programs to provide Emergency Financial Grants to Students under the CRRSAA and ARP (a)(1) programs, which was considered HEERF II.

The total amount of funds that the institution will receive under the Cares Act and CRRSAA and ARP (a)(1) programs through 2022 is $1,007,894. CAJ allocated these funds directly to students in emergency financial grants. Funds are intended to help students with academically related expenses such as food, housing, course materials, technology, healthcare and childcare. The HEERF I and HEERF II grants are not considered financial aid and do not have to be repaid.

These funds are prioritized for students with excessive financial need. CAJ will allocate HEERF I and HEERF II funds in alignment with guidance from Congress and the Department of Education. We have worked to ensure that all students will receive relief. Students who have a high financial need received the highest amount. High financial need is determined by the Expected Family Contribution (EFC) from the FAFSA at the level which is considered “Pell Grant Eligible” OR as determined by a Financial Needs Assessment.

Question: How much grant funding will students receive?

The Cares Act funds were allocated between 8-13-20 and 6-16-21 to 109 students in the amount of $126,950.15, as described in the section at the bottom of this page.

The CRRSAA funds will be allocated to all students in the following manner for either a Tier 1 or Tier 2 grant:

CAJ HEERF II Tier 1 emergency grants:

Students who have Pell Eligible EFC and Enrolled in CAJ CTE Title IV programs will receive $1786.12

Students who do not have FAFSA on file but are determined High Need by Financial Needs Assessment and enrolled in CAJ Academic or non-Title IV programs will receive $1786.12

CAJ HEERF II Tier 2 emergency grants for students:

Students Eligible for Subsidized Direct Loans only and/or not eligible for a Tier 1 grant will receive $850

The total amount of Emergency Financial Aid Grants distributed to students under Section 18004(a)(1) of the CARES Act and CRRSAA and ARP (a)(1) programs:

As of 03-31-23: $1,007,894 Student Portion Funding
As of 04-30-23: $63,092.96 Institutional Portion Funding

The total number of students who were eligible to receive Emergency Financial Aid Grant to students under CRRSAA and ARP (a)(1) programs was based on current and projected numbers of enrolled students between January 1, 2021 through June 30, 2022. Additional grants were issued beyond June 30, 2022 on extension until grant funding was exhausted. Between 1-1-21 and 3-31-23, the total number of eligible students were:

1151 students were eligible under CRRSAA and ARP (a)(1)

The total number of students who have received an Emergency Financial Aid Grant under CRRSAA and ARP (a)(1) programs:

As of 12-31-21: 461
As of 12-31-22: 928
As of 03-31-23: 995
As of 04-30-23: 1,033

Student grant amounts were determined based on current enrollment and projected enrollment between 1-1-21 and 6-30-22. It was estimated that 738 total students would be enrolled during the stated period, with an estimated 90% in the category of excessive need and 10% who would not have excessive need. The percentages in each of the categories were based on school historical data. Students with excessive need would be prioritized based on family income and family size, Pell eligibility or a review of a financial needs assessment. A Tier 1 grant amount of $1786.12 for those with excessive need and a Tier 2 grant amount of $850 were established.

Student guidance for both HEERF I and HEERF II emergency grants is noted below.

HEERF I – 2020-21 through Spring 2021

The following information is provided as a participating institution in the Section 18004(a)(1) CARES Act grant program:

Charles A. Jones Career and Education (CAJ) has signed and returned to the US Department of Education a Certification and Agreement and the assurance that CAJ 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.

The total amount of funds that the institution will receive from the Department pursuant to the Certification and Agreement for Emergency Financial Aid Grants to Students is:

$182,855

The total amount of Emergency Financial Aid Grants distributed to students under Section 18004(a)(1) of the CARES Act:

As of 08-13-20: < 10 students have received a grant
As of 09-30-20: $29,117
As of 12-31-20: $81,527.60
As of 03-19-21: $108,312.24
As of 04-23-21: $110,644.60
As of 06-16-21: $126,950.15

The estimated total number of students at the institution who are or could be eligible to participate in the Federal student financial aid programs under Section 484 of the Higher Education Act of 1965, as amended, and thus are eligible to receive Emergency Financial Aid Grants to students under Section 18004(a)(1) of the CARES Act:

To be issued during 2020-21 Program Year: 157 Emergency Financial Aid Grants to students

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 08-13-20: < 10 students have received a grant
As of 09-30-20: 25 students
As of 12-31-20: 70 students
As of 03-19-21: 93 students
As of 04-23-21: 97 students
As of 06-16-21: 109 students

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.

CAJ Method for determining Cares Act grant award amounts:
- In 2019-20, 56% of new students enrolled in CAJ Title IV programs were eligible and received federal student financial aid. We estimated that 2020-21 total new enrollment in CAJ Title IV programs will be 244, and that approximately 56% are likely to be eligible for Federal Financial Aid during the 2020-21 program year: 137 students
- Still from enrolled from 2019-20 in Title IV programs as of 8-26-20, eligible and making satisfactory academic progress: 20 students
- In program year 2020-21 – The estimated Total Number of Students at the institution who are or could be eligible (Still enrolled and eligible plus 56% of new 2020-21 enrollments): Total 157
- $182,855/157 = $1164.68 award amount for each eligible 2020-21 student
- Students will be issued grant funding who have at least 30 days of attendance