Federal Emergency Relief Fund for DMACC Students

Currently attending DMACC students may now apply for the America Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (ARP) Emergency Funds.

This federal program provides cash grants to currently enrolled students at DMACC. Students that are receiving financial aid during the term are automatically awarded funds if eligible, and do not need to complete an application. Students who are not using financial aid are encouraged to complete an application. Funds may only be used for a student’s cost to attend DMACC (including tuition, fees, housing, food, technology, supplies, etc) or for emergency expenses associated with COVID-19.

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Frequently Asked Questions

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What can these emergency funds be used for?

For CRRSAA Funds (these funds have been exhausted): These funds can be used for any component of the student’s cost of attendance or for emergency costs that arise due to coronavirus, such as tuition, food, housing, health care (including mental health care), or child care.

For CARES Act Funds (these funds have been exhausted): The funds must be used to cover expenses related to the disruption of campus operations due to coronavirus (including eligible expenses under a student's cost of attendance, such as course materials, technology, internet, utilities, and child care).

For ARP Funds: These funds can be used for any component of the student’s cost of attendance or for emergency costs that arise due to coronavirus, such as tuition, food, housing, health care (including mental health care), or child care

Do I need to complete the FAFSA?

For CRRSAA Funds (these funds have been exhausted): No, but priority for awarding is given to Pell-eligible students.

For CARES Act Funds (these funds have been exhausted): Yes. In order to apply for the grant at DMACC, you must be eligible for Federal Student Aid and have completed the FAFSA for the academic year for which you are applying.

For ARP Funds: No, but priority is given to students with financial need.

How do I receive the funds?

If you are approved to receive funding, you will receive an e-mail sent to your DMACC e-mail address outlining the amount you were approved to receive. The funds will be delivered to you by the Student Accounts Department based on the option you selected for refunds.

Can I use the funds I receive to pay a bill I owe to DMACC?

Yes. Once you receive the funds you may use those funds to pay any bill you may owe to DMACC.

Why might my application be denied?

For CRRSAA Funds (these funds have been exhausted): You are not currently enrolled, you failed to indicate what you’re using the funds for, or funding has been exhausted.

For CARES Act Funds (these funds have been exhausted): You failed to outline how your emergency need is associated with expenses related to the disruption of campus operations due to coronavirus (including eligible expenses under a student's cost of attendance, such as course materials, technology, and child care). Other reasons for a denial include you have not completed the FAFSA, you are not eligible for Title IV financial aid, or you are not currently attending DMACC.

For ARP Funds: You are not currently enrolled, you failed to indicate what you’re using the funds for, you have already received a grant for the current term, or funding has been exhausted.

Do I need to provide documentation on my application?

No. Documentation is optional.

What is the maximum emergency award I may receive?

For CRRSAA Funds: The maximum award is $500 per term and is prorated based on a student’s enrollment level for the term. Students enrolled in non-credit programs at DMACC are eligible for a maximum award of $250.

For CARES Act Funds (these funds have been exhausted): $2000. Student attending less than ½ time are eligible for no greater than $500. This allows DMACC to support as many students as possible.

For ARP Funds: The maximum award is $1500 per term and is pro-rated based on a student’s enrollment level for the term. Students enrolled in non-credits programs at DMACC are eligible for a maximum award of $500. These amounts will be reviewed on an ongoing basis and may be updated dependent on funding availability.

I'm concurrently enrolled in high school, can I qualify for the emergency grant?

For CRRSAA Funds (these funds have been exhausted): Yes

For CARES Act Funds (these funds have been exhausted): No

For ARP Funds: Yes

I'm taking non-credit courses at DMACC, can I qualify for the emergency grant?

For CRRSAA Funds: Yes. Students enrolled in non-credit programs at DMACC are eligible for a maximum award of $250.

For CARES Act Funds (these funds have been exhausted): No.

Do you have to be a U.S. Citizen to qualify?

Based on recent guidance from the U.S. Department of Education, “in addition to U.S. citizens and permanent residents, refugees, asylum seekers, Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) recipients, other DREAMers, and similar undocumented students are also eligible for student grants from all three HEERF programs”.

Does the emergency grant need to be repaid?

No.

Did DMACC sign an agreement to provide emergency grants to students?

Yes. DMACC signed and returned to the Department of Education the Certification and Agreement and the assurance that the institution has used, or 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 agreement was signed on April 11th, 2020. DMACC was not provided access to any federal funds in order to provide emergency grants under the CARES act until April 21st, 2020. On that date the Department also released guidance that significantly altered the grant awarding process and further delayed the disbursement of funds to students.

How much funding will DMACC potentially receive for emergency grants to students?

For CRRSAA Funds: DMACC is authorized to receive the same level of funding for the CRRSAA Emergency Grants to Students program as it received for the CARES Act program, $3,676,000.

For CARES Act Funds (these funds have been exhausted): The total amount of funds that DMACC may receive from the Department of Education pursuant to the institution’s Certification and Agreement [for] Emergency Financial Aid Grants to Students is $3,676,000. However, this amount may only be accessed if emergency grants have been provided to eligible students for eligible expenses. Not all students qualify, and not all expenses qualify. The funds must be used to cover expenses related to the disruption of campus operations due to coronavirus.

How much in emergency financial aid grants has been distributed to students?

For CRRSAA Funds: As of May 18, 2021, DMACC has distributed $1,581,625 to students.

For CARES Act Funds (these funds have been exhausted): As of March 1, 2021, DMACC has distributed $3,676,00 to students.

How many students may be eligible for this funding?

The estimated total number of students at DMACC eligible to participate in programs under Section 484 in Title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965 and thus POTENTIALLY eligible to receive emergency financial aid grants to students under Section 18004(a)(1) of the CARES Act is 14,303. However, remember the funds must be used to cover expenses related to the disruption of campus operations due to coronavirus. Not every student will have these associated expenses that are due to campus operations.

How many students have received emergency grant funds?

For CRRSAA Funds: As of May 18, 2021, DMACC has distributed emergency grants to 4,142 students.

For CARES Act Funds (these funds have been exhausted): As of March 1, 2021, the total number of students who have received an emergency financial aid grant under is 2,765.

What method(s) are used by the DMACC to determine which students receive emergency financial aid grants and how much they would receive under Section 18004(a)(1) of the CARES Act?

For CRRSAA Funds: Students receiving a Pell grant during the term are automatically awarded funds if eligible and do not need to complete an application. Non-Pell-eligible students must apply in order to be considered for emergency financial aid grants available through CRRSAA. These funds can be used for any component of the student’s cost of attendance or for emergency costs that arise due to coronavirus, such as tuition, food, housing, health care (including mental health care), or child care. The maximum award is $500 per term and is prorated based on a student’s enrollment level for the term. Students enrolled in non-credit programs at DMACC are eligible for a maximum award of $250.

For CARES Act Funds (these funds have been exhausted): Students must apply in order to be considered for emergency financial aid grants available through the CARES Act. Within the application students are informed that the federal program only provides cash grants to students for expenses related to disruptions to their education due to the COVID-19 outbreak, including things like course materials and technology as well as food, housing, health care, and childcare. Student are informed to identify their current emergency expense that was caused by campus disruption caused by COVID-19. Students must provide a dollar amount for each expense. DMACC will only consider applications from students that have completed the FAFSA and been offered Title IV (Federal) financial aid. While the Department of Education’s guidance does state that a FAFSA is not required, having one on file would be the only practicable way for DMACC to determine that a student is eligible to participate in the Title IV federal student aid programs and meets all applicable general student eligibility criteria in Section 484 of the Higher Education Act.

Where can I get additional instructions and guidance regarding the process?

The application for the emergency grants contains step-by-step guidance regarding how to apply. Once a student has applied, he or she will receive correspondence outlining their next steps. Notification of application approvals or denials is sent to students via their DMACC email address.

Where can I find additional information about the institutional portion of the Higher Education Emergency Relief Funds DMACC received?

The quarterly public reporting form for the institutional portion is available here.

Access to Des Moines Area Community College's critical operating systems have been restored

Federal Emergency Relief Fund for DMACC Students

Frequently Asked Questions