The Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund III (HEERF III), authorized by the American Rescue Plan (ARP) and signed into law on March 11, 2021, provides $39.6 billion in support to institutions of higher education to serve students and ensure learning continues during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The following information is provided by Anoka-Ramsey Community College in response to the Department of Education's reporting requirements.
1. An acknowledgement that the institution signed and returned to the Department the Certification and Agreement and the assurance that the institution has used the applicable amount of funds designated under the ARP program to provide Emergency Financial Aid Grants to Students.
Anoka-Ramsey signed and submitted the Certificate and Agreement for the Emergency Financial Aid Grants to Students under the HEERF I - Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act on April 13, 2020, which included assurances to use at least 50% of the total CARES Act allocation for student emergency funds.
Anoka-Ramsey has received notification of a supplemental HEERF III award through the American Rescue Plan Act, but as a recipient of HEERF I - CARES Act funding, was not required to submit a certification agreement for the HEERF III award. Anoka-Ramsey Community College intends to use the applicable amount of funds designated under the ARP program to provide Emergency Financial Aid Grants to Students.
2. The total amount of funds that the institution will receive or has received from the Department pursuant to the institution's Certification and Agreement for Emergency Financial Aid Grants to Students under the ARP program.
On May 13, 2021, Anoka-Ramsey Community College was notified of a supplemental HEERF III award from the American Rescue Plan Act in the amount of $6,832,083 for emergency financial aid grants to students.
3. The total amount of Emergency Financial Aid Grants distributed to students under the ARP program as of the date of submission (i.e., as of the initial report and every calendar quarter thereafter).
$0 as of June 30, 2021
$0 as of September 30, 2021
$3,223,150 as of December 31, 2021
$6,270,675 as of March 31, 2022
4. The estimated total number of students at the institution that are eligible to receive Emergency Financial Aid Grants to Students under the ARP program.
Based on the expanded use of funds authority under the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental ACT (CRRSAA), the pool of eligible students expanded to include all enrolled students except DACA/DREAM Act student and International Students with an FYI VISA status in SEVIS.
Based on the expanded use of funds authority under the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA), the pool of eligible students has been expanded to include any student who was enrolled on or after March 13, 2020. Anoka-Ramsey will continue to award to students who are enrolled for the current term. As of January 18, 2022 (Spring Semester), there were 4,170 students considered eligible.
5. The total number of students who have received an Emergency Financial Aid Grant to students under the ARP program.
As of March 31, 2022:
5,879 students received a distribution in the amount of $400
2,241 students received a supplemental distribution in the amount of $625
The student portion was also used to make distributions to student for emergency grants through application:
0 students as of June 30, 2021
0 students as of September 30, 2021
220 students as of December 31, 2021
597 students as of March 31, 2022
6. The method(s) used by the institution to determine which students receive Emergency Financial Aid Grants and how much they would receive under the ARP program.
Anoka-Ramsey prioritized distributing funds to support students with exceptional financial need by allocating funds to student through the following methods.
ARP Direct Grant Awards Base Award: Degree seeking students enrolled for one or more credits during summer received a $400 grant award to assist with the additional internet and technology expenses incurred for online classes.
Supplemental Award: Degree seeking students enrolled for at least one credit during summer who either submitted a Dream Act application or a FAFSA that resulted in an Expected Family Contribution (EFC) value at or below $6,000 received an additional $625 grant disbursement.
ARP Emergency Application Grant Awards: Eligible students can submit an online application to request up to $1,000 (Without documentation)/$2,000 (with documentation) to cover 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 childcare. Students can also request the funds to go towards an outstanding balance owed to Anoka-Ramsey for the term. Student eligibility requirements for a need-based ARP Emergency Grant include:
- Enrollment in at least one or more credits at Anoka-Ramsey in the semester for which the student is requesting the grant.
- Need for assistance with expenses related to the impact of COVID-19.
Students who fall under any one of the following criteria, are not eligible for any ARP Grant Awards:
- High school students (including PSEO and concurrent enrollment)
- Employees of MN State using their tuition benefits to pay for their own classes
- Students that received the senior citizen discount.
7. Any instructions, directions, or guidance provided by the institution to students concerning the Emergency Financial Aid Grants.
All students eligible for the base or supplemental grant award received an email informing them of their eligibility. Students that had not set up their refund preference (direct deposit or check) were given instructions on how to set that up. Students who completed an application for the Emergency Grant funds were notified of their application status through the email address the student provided on their application on the date their application was reviewed. All grant payments were released to students through the refund preference the student set up within their student account. If the student selected direct deposit to another bank account, the grant funds would have been available within approximately 2 business days. Students who opted for paper checks would have received them within 7-10 days of the disbursement date.
