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The Federal CARES Act Background Information

The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, popularly known as the CARES Act, provides colleges financial support for covering expenses due to campus disruptions from the COVID-19 pandemic. At least 50 percent of CARES Act funds must be used to provide emergency financial aid grants to students whose lives have been disrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Of the nearly $7.8 million earmarked for Essex County College, half, approximately $3.8 million of the allocation will go directly to students. The remainder will be used to assist the College in overcoming the negative financial impact the pandemic has affected on operating expenses.

“I am extremely pleased we are receiving aid that will directly benefit our students during this pandemic,” said ECC’s Acting/Interim President, Dr. Augustine Boakye. “Our students, many of whom face so many challenges, deserve this type of financial support in order to continue pursuing their goals and dreams,” he added.

The College’s CARES Act Committee, which is comprised of representatives from the President’s Office, Institutional Advancement, Student Affairs, Compliance, Enrollment Services, and Financial Office, has established the criteria and processes for students to apply for these funds.

The CARES Act Emergency Grant eligibility, determined by the United States Department of Education is as follows:

  • All students who are full-time Degree/Certificate/Credential-Seeking, part-time enrolled students, and new students that were enrolled for the Spring 2020 semester, except that students enrolled exclusively in online programs on March 13, 2020 are not eligible.
  • Students MUST also be eligible for Federal Financial Aid
  • Have completed a 2019-2020 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to verify the following general eligibility requirements. The student must:
    • Have a valid Social Security number.
    • Be a U.S. citizen or have qualifying non-citizenship status.
    • Have earned a high school diploma or GED.
    • Have registered for selective service (if the individual is male and under 26 years of age).
    • Fulfill the Satisfactory Academic Progress standards of Essex County College at the beginning of the Spring 2020 Term.
  • Non-matriculating students will be considered on a case by case basis.
  • Students will be awarded a one-time amount of funds and will be reviewed on a case by case basis. The aid may only be used for assistance to students for their expenses related to the disruption of campus operations due to coronavirus, such as: child care, housing, food, purchase internet access, textbooks, and healthcare.

Questions should be referred to [email protected]

CARES Act Aid for ECC Students

The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, popularly known as the CARES Act, provides colleges financial support for covering expenses due to campus disruptions from the COVID-19 pandemic.

Of the nearly $7.8 million earmarked for Essex County College, half, approximately $3.8 million of the allocation will go directly to students. The remainder will be used to assist the College in overcoming the negative financial impact the pandemic has affected on operating expenses.

ECC’s goal is to provide CARES Act funding to students who have been affected by COVID-19 quickly, efficiently, and in a caring manner to eliminate barriers to student success.

“I am extremely pleased we are receiving aid that will directly benefit our students during this pandemic,” said ECC’s Acting/Interim President, Dr. Augustine Boakye. “Our students, many of whom face so many challenges, deserve this type of financial support in order to continue pursuing their goals and dreams,” he added.

The CARES Act Emergency Grant eligibility, determined by the United States Department of Education is as follows:

  • All students who are full-time Degree/Certificate/Credential-Seeking, part-time enrolled students, and new students that were enrolled for the Spring 2020 semester, except that students enrolled exclusively in online programs on March 13, 2020 are not eligible.
  • Students MUST also be eligible for Federal Financial Aid
  • Have completed a 2019-2020 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to verify the following general eligibility requirements.
  • Fulfill the Satisfactory Academic Progress standards of Essex County College at the beginning of the Spring 2020 Term.
  • Non-matriculating students will be considered on a case by case basis.
  • Students will be awarded a one-time amount of funds and will be reviewed on a case by case basis.

CARES Act aid is designed to assist students who have expenses related to the disruption of campus operations due to coronavirus, such as:

Students can apply the award to cover such expenses as:

Child Care
Housing
Food
Purchase internet access
Textbooks
Healthcare

Questions should be referred to caresact​@essex.edu. Additional information is available at essex.edu

CARES Act FAQs

What is the CARES/Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund provided by the federal government?

The Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act was passed by Congress and signed into law to provide economic relief from COVID-19. One section of the CARES Act established the Higher Education Emergency Relief fund and sent money to schools to use for emergency financial aid grants to students for expenses related to the disruption of campus operations due to the pandemic.

When will CARES/Higher Education Emergency Relief Funds be available?

ECC began disbursing the funds on May 7, 2020.

Who is eligible for the CARES/Higher Education Emergency Relief Funds?

Students who meet basic eligibility criteria for federal financial aid and who have the greatest financial need can be considered for these funds. The Financial Aid Office will use Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) data to determine your eligibility. If you are eligible to file a FAFSA but have not yet filed for 2019-20 and need assistance, please file a FAFSA at studentaid.gov.

What is an ECC CARES Act Relief Grant?

The CARES Act directed colleges to prioritize students whose family income is in the low- to low-middle income categories and ECC wants to provide economic relief quickly to students who may have experienced additional expenses and/or a loss of income in the Spring semester due to COVID-19.
These funds are meant to help students pay expenses for technology, health care, child care, course materials, rent, food, moving or other expenses incurred this semester. If you have yet to experience financial stress due to COVID-19, these funds can help with unanticipated expenses or income loss that may occur.

Why didn’t I receive an ECC CARES Act Relief Grant?

Under U.S. Department of Education rules for the program, students who are not eligible for federal financial aid programs are not eligible for federal CARES grants. However, ECC may be able to help you with emergency aid from other institutional or private donations. These funds are limited, but we encourage you to apply. We will review your request and determine if we can offer you assistance.
If you are eligible for federal aid, but did not receive the ECC CARES Act Relief standard grant described above, you can notify our office for a review of your situation by submitting a request for emergency aid.