PLEASE NOTE: The HEERF emergency fund for students is exhausted and no additional disbursements are anticipated. The information provided in the links below is for informational and reporting purposes only. As required by the U.S. Department of Education, public quarterly reports are to remain online for a period of at least three years after the submission of the last quarterly or annual performance report.
The Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund I (HEERF I) is authorized by the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES ) Act Sec. 18004. NDSCS received $823,352 through HEERF I.
- At least 50% of the funds ($411,676) must be used directly to grant our students emergency aid to assist with academic and basic needs (e.g. food, housing, course materials, technology, health care, childcare).
- The bill defines that funds to each institution of higher education to prevent, prepare for, and respond to coronavirus. This includes retaining of current employees to the ‘maximum extent practicable.’
The CARES Act also enables flexibility to current regulations such as Federal Workstudy, Satisfactory Academic Progress, and Institutional refunds/federal student loan flexibility. NDSCS will continue to evaluate students’ evolving circumstances and accepting special circumstance forms.
North Dakota State College of Science (NDSCS) signed and submitted to the U.S. Department of Education the Certification and Agreement for the CARES Act Emergency Financial Aid Grants to Students on April 21, 2020. NDSCS was awarded and received the CARES Act Emergency funds on May 18, 2020. NDSCS is providing the assurance that the institution will 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. It is estimated that 1,884 NDSCS students are eligible to receive CARES Act Emergency funds.
As of August 31, 2020, $411,676 has been distributed to 705 eligible students.
Expenditure Report-CARES Act Institutional Portion
Student Emergency Aid: Distribution Process
In line with the CARES Act, NDSCS is distributing funds to students who need it the most, defined as independent students, Pell-eligible students, and those self-identifying as having need due to the COVID-19 situation. It is proposed that all of the CARES Act student portion be provided to students enrolled for Spring 2020. All disbursement will be tracked by Financial Aid and will be reported in conjunction with the Grant office, in accordance with the guidance in the CARES Act (after 30 days and every 45 days thereafter).
- Independent/Dependent Pell-eligible (face-to-face) students: The students received an emergency grant when the money was received. This enabled those in most need to receive funding without barriers.
- All Students: Recognizing that the COVID-19 situation has drastically affected all students, $50,000 of the CARES Act student funding will be awarded following the Department of Education's guidance through a simple application and review process.
- Eligible students were encouraged to apply for funds to cover expenses related to COVID-19; up to $500 based on availability.
- Summer Students: $25,452 of the CARES Act funding was reserved for eligible students that were impacted by COVID-19, to assist them with COVID-19 related expenses to attend Summer 2020.
- Eligible students were encouraged to apply for funds to cover expenses related to COVID-19; up to $500 based on availability.
- Click here to view the information that was sent via email to eligible students to encourage them to apply for CARES Act funding.
- Click here to view the information that was sent via email to students that participated in the Technical Skills Session and received CARES Act funding.
Application Process
- Students experiencing financial uncertainty due to the COVID-19 situation complete an online application form.
- The application form is reviewed by a panel of three and awarded based on agreement between the three panelists’ professional judgment. Awards are prioritized to assist continuing students.
PLEASE NOTE: The HEERF emergency fund for students is exhausted and no additional disbursements are anticipated. The information provided in the links below is for informational and reporting purposes only. As required by the U.S. Department of Education, public quarterly reports are to remain online for a period of at least three years after the submission of the last quarterly or annual performance report.
The Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund II (HEERF II) is authorized by the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2021 (CRRSAA), Public Law 116-260, signed into law on Dec. 27, 2020. In total, the CRRSAA authorized $81.88 billion in support for education, in addition to the $30.75 billion provided in 2020 through the Coronavirus Aid, Recovery, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, Public Law 116-136. NDSCS will receive $1,641,417 in HEERF II funds.
- $411,676 must be used directly to grant our students, in exceptional need, emergency aid to assist with academic and basic needs (e.g. food, housing, course materials, technology, health care, childcare).
- The bill defines that funds to each institution of higher education to prevent, prepare for, and respond to coronavirus.
HEERF II, much like the CARES Act, also enables flexibility to current regulations such as Federal Workstudy, Satisfactory Academic Progress, and Institutional refunds/federal student loan flexibility. NDSCS will continue to evaluate students’ evolving circumstances and accepting special circumstance forms.
Distribution Process
In line with U.S. Department of Education expectations, NDSCS will distribute HEERF II funds to students who are in exceptional need, defined as Pell-eligible students, and those self-identifying as having need due to the COVID-19 situation. Under HEERF II guidelines, the student portion will be provided to students enrolled Spring 2021. All disbursement will be tracked by Financial Aid and will be reported in conjunction with the Grant office, in accordance with the guidance in HEERF II (after 30 days and every 45 days thereafter).
- Pell-eligible (Face-to-face, Hybrid, Online) students: The 471 students in the category will each receive a $800 grant as soon as possible; this will enable those in exceptional need will receive funding without barriers. (HEERF II student funding: $376,676)
- All Title-IV Eligible[1] Students: Recognizing that the COVID-19 situation has drastically impacted all students, $34,876 of the HEERF II student funding will be awarded to students in exceptional need, regardless of previous established financial need or prior eligibility, through a simple application and review process.
- Eligible students will be encouraged to apply for funds to cover expenses related to COVID-19; up to $500 based on availability.
Application Process
Students experiencing financial uncertainty, demonstrating exceptional need, due to the COVID-19 situation will complete an online application form; the form will require pertinent information to determine Title-IV eligibility[1].
The application form will be reviewed by a panel of three and will be awarded based on agreement between the three panelists’ professional judgment. Awards will be prioritized to assist continuing students.
[1] Title IV-eligible students are defined as: having U.S. citizenship or eligible noncitizen; having a valid Social Security number; registered with Selective Service (if the student is male); having a high school diploma, GED, or completion of high school in an approved homeschool setting; not in default on a federal student loan or have made satisfactory arrangements to repay it; do not owe money back on a federal student grant or have made satisfactory arrangements to repay it; will not receive a federal Pell grant from more than one college for the same period of enrollment.
Updated as of March 3, 2021
Email sent to students on March 2, 2021 - Pell Grant
Email sent to students on March 3, 2021 - HEERF II
Email sent to students on March 22, 2021 - Special Circumstances
As of March 19, 2021, $379,257 has been awarded to 491 students.
Updated as of March 26, 2021
As of April 5, 2021, $400,741 has been awarded to 527 students.
As part of HEERF II, NDSCS received $1,229,741 in institutional funding. As of April 5, 2021, $21,000 has been expended on technology improvements on campus.
Updated as of April 8, 2021
Institutional Funds HEERFII Quarter 1 Report
Updated as of April 29, 2021
Institutional Funds HEERFII Quarter 1 Report
Updated as of June 23, 2021
Institutional Funds HEERF II & III Quarter 2 Report
Student awards were not disbursed during the quarter of April 1 to June 30, 2021.
Updated as of July 8, 2021
As of September 30, 2021, $500 was awarded to one student for the quarter of July 1 to September 30, 2021
Updated as of October 4, 2021
For the quarter of October 1-December 31, 2021, $5,450 was awarded to 17 students.
00299600_HEERF_Q32021_12082021
00299600_HEERF_Q42021_01102022
Updated as of January 4, 2022
Phase 3 - Student Allocation: Spring 2022 Distribution Process
In line with HEERF III expectations, funds will be used for students in exceptional need; NDSCS will be distributing a portion of the HEERF III funds to students enrolled Spring 2022. All disbursements will be tracked by Financial Aid and will be reported in conjunction with the Grant office, in accordance with the guidance in HEERF III. Disbursement of HEERF II funds for students enrolled in Spring 2022 (1st 8 weeks and 16 weeks) will be around January 24, 2022 to students enrolled on Financial Aid census date of 1/20/22; students enrolled (2nd 8 weeks) as of 3/17/22 will be awarded.
Proposed Allocation by student:
- $40/credit (all degree-seeking)
- Pell-eligible = +400 additional stipend (degree seeking)
As of January 24, 2022, $542 was disbursed to one student.
Distribution of student relief for second eight-week period followed the plan for Spring 2022.
As of March 9, 2022, $1,490 was disbursed to four students.
Email sent to students enrolled in Spring Semester 2022
00299600_HEERF_Q12022_04082022
Updated as of April 4, 2022
00299600_HEERF_Q22022_07052022
Updated as of July 5, 2022
00299600_HEERF_Q32022_10052022
Updated as of October 5, 2022
00299600_HEERF_Q42022_01062023
Updated as of January 6, 2023
In a review of the distribution of HEERF student relief funding, it was identified that there were uncashed student relief checks in the amount of $6,416. Several attempts were made to contact students that had not cashed their relief checks and after being unsuccessful in contacting the students, the outdated checks were cancelled. The $6,416 is being distributed to students through the Wildcats Care Emergency Grants program for COVID related emergencies.
The Wildcats Care Emergency Grant provides financial assistance to North Dakota State College of Science (NDSCS) students who face sudden, unforeseen emergency or crisis situations. If you are experiencing a COVID emergency and need financial assistance, please learn more and apply here.
00299600_HEERF_Q12023_04032023
Updated as of April 3, 2023
If you experience any trouble viewing the pdf files above, please first download the file to your computer and open that file. Some browsers will not support viewing directly without downloading the file first.
PLEASE NOTE: The HEERF emergency fund for students is exhausted and no additional disbursements are anticipated. The information provided in the links below is for informational and reporting purposes only. As required by the U.S. Department of Education, public quarterly reports are to remain online for a period of at least three years after the submission of the last quarterly or annual performance report.
In March 2021, the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (ARP) appropriated approximately $39.6 billion for the Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund (HEERF) and represents the third stream of funding appropriated for HEERF to prevent, prepare for, and respond to coronavirus. HEERF III is structured like the HEERF II programs under the CRRSAA. Specifically, students that are eligible for HEER III funds include those:
“… who are or were enrolled in an institution of higher education during the COVID-19 national emergency … regardless of whether they completed a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or are eligible for Title IV. … institutions are directed with the ARP funds to prioritize students with exceptional need, such as students who receive Pell Grants or are undergraduates with extraordinary financial circumstances in awarding emergency financial aid grants to students. Beyond Pell eligibility, other types of exceptional need could include students who may be eligible for other federal or state need-based aid or have faced significant unexpected expenses, such as the loss of employment (either for themselves or their families), reduced income, or food or housing insecurity."
NDSCS will receive $4,766,294 in HEERF III funds that must be utilized no later than May 12, 2022.
-
$2,417,157 must be used directly for student aid
HEERF III, much like the HEERF II and CARES Act, also enables flexibility to current regulations through professional judgment. NDSCS will continue to evaluate students’ evolving circumstances and accepting special circumstance forms.
PHASE 1 - HEERF III Student Allocation: Summer 2021 Distribution Process
In line with HEERF III expectations, funds will be used for students in exceptional need; NDSCS will be distributing some of the HEERF III funds to students enrolled Summer 2021. All disbursements will be tracked by Financial Aid and will be reported in conjunction with the Grant office, in accordance with the guidance in HEERF III.
- $100/credit (all students)
- Pell-eligible = +$400 additional stipend
Estimated [1] Summer 2021 Student Assistance (as of 6/2/21[1]): $358,400
- 171 Pell-eligible students @ $400/each = $68,400
- 2,900 credits @ $100/credit = $290,000
PHASE 1 - HEERF III Institutional Allocation: Summer 2021
NDSCS is proposing to utilize the HEERF III institutional allocation to reduce critical need students’ financial burden through eliminating past due balances (debt) for Spring 2020, Summer 2020, Fall 2020, Spring 2021, Summer 2021 (as of August 23). Eligible students would have their outstanding balances paid through utilizing the HEERF III Institutional Funding. This utilization strategy is referred to as ‘revenue recoupment’ to NDSCS; it is important to note, these payments cannot be categorized as ‘waivers’ or ‘removal of fees’.
[1]
Student allocation will be assessed based on Financial Aid Census date (6/10/21). Students starting for the 2nd 4-week summer session, will be assessed July 8.
Email sent to students on June 14, 2021
HEERF III Phase 1 funding to date for actively enrolled degree seeking summer students = 548 students were sent an email notification of their HEERF III funding for a total of $357,000 disbursed on June 14, 2021.
Updated as of June 16, 2021
Institutional Funds HEERF II & III Quarter 2 Report
Updated as of July 8, 2021
Second 4-week summer session: $9,400 was disbursed to 49 students on July 9, 2021.
PHASE 2 - HEERF III Student Allocation: Fall 2021 Distribution Process
In line with HEERF III expectations, funds will be used for students in exceptional need; NDSCS will be distributing some of the HEERF III funds to students enrolled Fall 2021. All disbursements will be tracked by Financial Aid and will be reported in conjunction with the Grant office, in accordance with the guidance in HEERF III. Disbursement of HEERF III funds for students enrolled Fall 2021 (1st 8 weeks and 16 weeks) will be around September 3, 2021 – students enrolled on Financial Aid census date as of 9/2/21; students enrolled (2nd 8 weeks) as of 10/22/21 will be awarded.
Proposed Allocation by student:
- $25/credit (all degree-seeking)
- Pell-eligible = +$400 additional stipend (degree seeking)
Estimated Fall 2021 Student Assistance (as of 8/3/21 ): $771,025
- 543 Pell-eligible students @ $400/each = $217,200
- 22,153 credits @ $25/credit = $553,825
Actual Fall 2021 Student Assistance (as of 9/28/21 ): $831,550
- 447 Pell-eligible students @ $400/each = $178,400
- 26,126 credits @ $25/credit = $653,150
Email sent to students on September 2, 2021 - HEERF III
Updated as of October 4, 2021
00299600_HEERF_Q32021_12082021
00299600_HEERF_Q42021_01102022
Updated as of January 7, 2022
PHASE 3 - HEERF III Student Allocation: Spring 2022 Distribution Process
In line with HEERF III expectations, funds will be used for students in exceptional needs; NDSCS will be distributing a portion of the HEERF III funds to students enrolled Spring 2022. All disbursements will be tracked by Financial Aid and will be reported in conjunction with the Grant office, in accordance with the guidance in HEERF III. Disbursement of HEERF III funds for students enrolled Spring 2022 (1st 8 weeks and 16 weeks) will be around January 24, 2022 to students enrolled on Financial Aid census dates of 1/20/2022; students enrolled (2nd 8 weeks) as of 3/17/2022 will be awarded.
Proposed Allocation by student:
- $40/credit (all degree-seeking)
- Pell-eligible = + $400 additional stipend (degree seeking)
Estimated Spring 2022 Student Assistance (as of 11/4/2021): $1,140,000
- Approximately 400 Pell-eligible students @ $400/each = $160,000
- 24,500 credits @ $40/credit - $980,000
As of January 24, 2022, $1,218,532 was disbursed to 1,588 students.
Email sent to students enrolled in Spring Semester 2022
Updated as of April 4, 2022
00299600_HEERF_Q22022_07052022
Updated as of July 5, 2022
00299600_HEERF_Q32022_10052022
Updated as of October 5, 2022
00299600_HEERF_Q42022_01062023
Updated as of January 6, 2023
In a review of the distribution of HEERF student relief funding, it was identified that there were uncashed student relief checks in the amount of $6,416. Several attempts were made to contact students that had not cashed their relief checks and after being unsuccessful in contacting the students, the outdated checks were cancelled. The $6,416 is being distributed to students through the Wildcats Care Emergency Grants program for COVID related emergencies.
The Wildcats Care Emergency Grant provides financial assistance to North Dakota State College of Science (NDSCS) students who face sudden, unforeseen emergency or crisis situations. If you are experiencing a COVID emergency and need financial assistance, please learn more and apply here.
00299600_HEERF_Q12023_04032023
Updated as of April 3, 2023
00299600_HEERF_Q22023_06302023
Updated as of June 30, 2023
If you experience any trouble viewing the pdf files above, please first download the file to your computer and open that file. Some browsers will not support viewing directly without downloading the file first.
*HEERF = Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund