CRRSAA Emergency Grants
Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act
On March 22, 2021, Northland Community & Technical College began disbursing Student Aid funds to students via both automatic and application grants. The funds are from the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2021 (CRRSAA) and are governed by federal guidelines.
First Disbursement to be made the week of March 22
- $525.15 disbursement to each enrolled student who is Pell Eligible, Minnesota State Grant Eligible or has an EFC of $15,000 or less – approximately 1,014 students
- No action required
- Total estimated first disbursement – $532,502.10
Emergency Grant Awards
- These grants will require an application that includes documentation of need.
- Students who have experienced financial difficulty or hardship related to COVID-19 may apply for a CRRSAA Emergency Grants.
Students who meet the following federal eligibility requirements may receive one or more types of CRRSAA funding:
- Must be a new or returning student actively enrolled in a degree-seeking program for Spring 2021 in any online, hybrid or face-to-face credits, or non-credit course.
- Must be a U.S. citizen or an eligible non-citizen (including a U.S. national or permanent resident) and have a valid social security number.
- Have a high school diploma or GED certificate.
Must NOT BE one of the following:- Enrolled in Post-Secondary Enrollment Options (PSEO)
- Enrolled via Concurrent Enrollment/College in the High School
- Visiting or non-degree-seeking student
- Student utilizing the senior citizen tuition rate
- Student participating in 100% employer-funded courses
- Students utilizing an employee tuition waiver
- An international/undocumented/DACA student
- Currently incarcerated
Two Types of Student Aid
No action required
Base grants will be distributed automatically to eligible students based on financial need information from the student’s Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). A student must be Pell eligible, Minnesota State Grant Eligible or have an Estimated Family Contribution (EFC) of $15,000 or less to qualify for the base grant.
- Who will receive this award?
All students who meet the eligibility requirements outlined above and were enrolled in Spring 2021 courses at Northland as of March 19, 2021. - How much will be awarded to students eligible for the base grant?
Each student eligible for the base grant will receive an automatic award of $525.15 to be issued via check or direct deposit beginning on March 22, 2021. - How will students know if they are receiving a CRRSAA base grant?
Students who are eligible were emailed on March 19, 2021 about the award and disbursement date. Students may also log into their student eServices and check their Financial Aid Award screens on or after March 19, 2021. Students with direct deposit should see funds in their bank account beginning March 22, 2021. - How will CRRSAA base grants be disbursed?
Checks will be mailed to the student’s permanent address on file if direct deposit has not been set up. A total of $532,502.10 was allocated to this category of funding (79% of total funds available). - How are EFC and Pell Eligibility determined?
Pell eligibility and a student’s EFC are both determined through a student’s Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). A student can view their EFC score by logging into their FAFSA for the 2020-2021 academic year.
The application for the CRRSAA Emergency is closed.
We have received an abundance of applications for this assistance and these funds have been exhausted.
Application Required
The second type of grant, CRRSAA Emergency grants, are available by application only. Students who have experienced financial difficulty or hardship related to COVID-19 may apply for an emergency grant.
Grant funds may be used toward any component of the student’s cost of attendance (including tuition, fees, books, housing, food, etc.), for healthcare including mental health, or for unexpected or emergency costs that have arisen due to the COVID-19 pandemic. A total of $145,202.90 was allocated to this category of funding (21% of total funds available).
- How do students apply for this grant?
Students must apply for this funding through an application process. Students can submit their application online (or can request a paper application if preferred). - Are fully online student eligible to apply?
Yes. - If a student receives a CRRSAA base grant are they eligible for a CRRSAA emergency grant?
Yes. - How much will be awarded to each student?
If approved, each CRRSAA Emergency Grant will be up to a maximum of $1,000. $1,000 is the maximum per student and this is a one-time award. - How and when will students be notified of their application status?
Students will be notified of their award status via email within 3-7 business days after submitting their application. - How will funds be disbursed?
Checks will be mailed to the student’s address on file if direct deposit has not been set-up. Students are encouraged to sign up for direct deposit in e-Services under the Financial Aid tab.
FAQs About CRRSAA Student Funding
Yes, if you meet eligibility the eligibility requirements listed above. Note: CRRSAA expanded the eligibility for student funding to include fully online students and those taking non-credit courses (which were not included in CARES Act eligibility).
Yes, as long as the student can explain why they need the additional funds on their CRRSAA Emergency Grant application. Note: The CRRSAA Base Grant amounts received by a student do NOT count towards the CRRSAA Emergency Grant award maximum of $1,000.
Yes, as long as they meet the eligibility requirements outlined above.
Northland Community & Technical College followed the eligibility criteria established by CRRSAA and Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund (HEERF) and consulted with students and staff in developing a process and distribution plan for student funds. The distribution plan developed considered Pell Grant Eligibility, Minnesota State Grant Eligibility, EFC calculations and information learned from distributing funds through the CARES Act in 2020.
No. Emergency financial aid grants under CRRSAA for cost of attendance, unexpected expenses, unmet financial need, or expenses related to COVID-19 are qualified disaster relief payments under section 139 of the Internal Revenue Code. The grant is not included in your gross income.
Note: Because the emergency financial aid grant is not included in your gross income, you cannot claim any deduction or credit for expenses paid with the grant including the tuition and fees deduction, the American Opportunity Credit, or the Lifetime Learning Credit. See section 139(h) of the Internal Revenue Code.
For further information, please email Lisa Bottem, Director of Financial Aid, at lisa.bottem@northlandcollege.edu or call 218-683-8544.
Summary of CRRSAA Grant (Student Portion):
Northland Community & Technical College Received $677,705 in student funding. The total amount of funds were disbursed to students beginning on March 22, 2021, and ending on April 7, 2021, when all funds were exhausted.
Base Grant
Base Grants of $525.15 were awarded to 1,014 students. Base grants amounted to $532,502.10 of the $677,705.00 of funding and used approximately 79% of the total funds.
- 723 Pell Eligible EFC students received $379,683.45 (71%)
- 88 State Grant Eligible Students received $46,213.20 (9%)
- 203 $15,000 EFC or less received $106,605.45 (20%)
Emergency Grant
Emergency Grants ranging from $250 to $1,000 were awarded to students through an application process. Emergency grants amounted to $145,202.90 of the $677,705.00 in funding and used approximately 21% of the total funds. Through the application process, 192 students were awarded emergency grants.
- Pell Eligible EFC (5711 or less) – 115 students for $89,350 (60% or recipients/62% of funds)
- EFC 5712 to 10000 – 18 students for $14,200 (9% of recipients/10% of funding)
- EFC 10001 to 15000 – 12 students for $10,300 (6.25% of recipients/7% of funding)
- EFC 15001 to 19000 – 10 students for $9,500 (5.25% of recipients/6.5% of funding)
- EFC 19001 + -17 students for $8,000 (9% of recipients/5.5% of funding)
- No FAFSA or EFC Unknown – 20 students for $13,852.90 (10.5% of recipients/9% of funding)
Highlights
- A total of $469,033.45 of all CRRSAA student funds went to Pell-eligible students, representing 69% of the total funding.
- 1,062 total students were served through both grants