CARES Act
CARES/ HEERF Grants for Students
On March 27, 2020, the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act was signed into law. The CARES Act Emergency Relief Grant Fund provides emergency financial aid assistance to students for expenses related to the disruption of campus operations due to coronavirus.
On April 15, 2020, Butler County Community College completed the Certification and Agreement that provided the College with $941,416 of emergency relief funds for eligible BC3 students. An initial round of approved $450 awards was designated to be distributed to eligible BC3 students starting May 14, 2020.
On May 14, 2020, Butler County Community College estimated 1800 students at the institution who are or could be eligible to participate in the Federal student financial aid programs under Section 484 of the Higher Education Act of amended, and thus are eligible to receive Emergency Financial Aid Grants to students under Section 18004(a)(1) of the CARES Act.
On May 21, 2020, The U.S. Department of Education issued additional guidance on CARES funding for students.
On June 1, 2020, based on the U.S. Department of Education’s update of May 21, 2020 BC3 will no longer require BC3 students to be Title IV eligible in order to eligible for a BC3 CARES grant. Students must be a US citizen or an eligible non-citizen to qualify. This update has also eliminated the need for students to file a 19-20 FAFSA in order to receive a BC3 CARES grant.
On December 27, 2020, The Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund II (HEERF II) was authorized by the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2021 (CRRSAA), Public Law 116-260, signed into law. In total, the CRRSAA authorized $81.88 billion in support for education, in addition to the $30.75 billion expeditiously provided last spring through the Coronavirus Aid, Recovery, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, Public Law 116-136.
September 2020 Quarterly Report BC3 CARES Institutional Share (PDF)
September 2022 Quarterly Report BC3 Cares Institutional Share (PDF)
2022 HEERF Year Three Final Annual Report (PDF)
Frequently Asked Questions - Updated March 15, 2021
On December 27,2020 The Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund II (HEERF II) was authorized by the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2021 (CRRSAA), Public Law 116-260, signed into law. In total, the CRRSAA authorized $81.88 billion in support for education, in addition to the $30.75 billion expeditiously provided last spring through the Coronavirus Aid, Recovery, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, Public Law 116-136.
BC3 has been allocated $941,416 to provide Emergency Grants to students for expenses related to the disruption of campus operations due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Funds are intended to help with academically related expenses such as food, housing, course materials, technology, healthcare, and childcare.
Through March 1, 2021 BC3 has disbursed $934,960 of CARES/HEERFI grants to 3,131 students.
Programming was created to identify all current enrolled students in the 4 categories. Pell eligible full time/ Pell eligible part time/ Non Pell eligible full time/ Non Pell eligible part time. Students with FAFSA on file confirmed their citizenships. Non FAFSA filers were identified with programming in the Admissions applications. Eligible non-citizens were reviewed for confirmation. The programming also identified degree seeking students and 100I, 100H codes for dual enrollment as eligible criteria.
No, but students are advised to do so in order to make the eligibility process easier and to verify students are maximizing the amount of state and federal financial aid that they are eligible to receive.
Yes. HEERF II grants must be disbursed directly to students unless the student specifically authorizes the College to use their grant funds to pay tuition and fees. Students with balances owed are encouraged to use their HEERF II grant to pay off their tuition and fee balance(s).
Grant will awarded based on the chart below.
| Grant for FT PELL Students | $ 350.00 |
| Grant for PT PELL Students | $ 175.00 |
| Grant for FT Student Non PELL Students | $ 175.00 |
| Grant PT Student Non PELL Students | $ 100.00 |
No. The College will determine eligibility and disburse grants to students based on enrollment and PELL eligibility status.
Eligible students will receive an email on March 16, 2021.
HEERF II grants will be disbursed electronically to students’ EZ-Refund accounts on March 24, 2021. Students who have not signed up for BC3 EZ-refund can do so at BC3 EZ-Refund. If a student does not have an EZ-Refund account, a paper check will be mail to the address on file and can expect a paper check 7 to 10 days after March 24th.
Please contact CARESgrant@bc3.edu
Frequently Asked Questions - Updated September 30, 2020
The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act was passed by Congress and signed into law on March 27, 2020. One aspect of the act was the creation of the Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund (HEERF). HEERF provides funds to institutions for emergency grants to students whose lives have been disrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Visit the HEERF Emergency Grants website to learn more.
BC3 has been allocated $941,416 to provide Emergency Grants to students for expenses related to the disruption of campus operations due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Funds are intended to help with academically related expenses such as food, housing, course materials, technology, healthcare, and childcare.
BC3’s allocation was determined by the US Department of Education based on the number of Pell Grant-eligible students enrolled on campus (70% of the weight) and the overall enrollment (30% of the weight). Given the weighting, Congress clearly intends the funds to go to students with the most financial need.
Through September 30, 2020 BC3 has disbursed $741,150.00 to 1,678 students.
BC3 students need to be Title IV eligible and complete a 20-21 FAFSA in order to be eligible to apply for a CARES Grant. Grant funds are limited and students will be served on a first come, first served basis.
Only students who are or could be eligible to participate in programs under Section 484 in Title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965, as amended (HEA), may receive emergency financial aid grants. If a student has filed a 19-20 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and has demonstrated eligibility to participate in programs under Section 484 the HEA. Students who have not filed a 20-21 FAFSA but who are eligible to file also may receive emergency financial aid grants. The criteria to participate in programs under Section 484 of the HEA include but are not limited to the following criteria:
- Degree seeking at BC3
- Not enrolled in elementary or secondary school
- Be making Satisfactory Academic Progress
- Not owe an overpayment on Title IV grants or be in default on a Title IV loan
- Be a US citizen or national permanent resident or an eligible non-citizen
- Have Selective Service registration verified
- Have a valid Social Security number
- High School graduate or equivalent
Yes, BC3 must have a completed 20-21 FAFSA on file in order to eligible for a CAREs grant. This can be done at www.studentaid.gov
Yes – if a student is eligible for an emergency grant, then they will receive the money even if they have current financial holds or owe the campus fees or fines.
No, all students that are enrolled for the fall 2020 semester are eligible for CAREs grants regardless of the number of course or credit they are enrolled in.
Students who wish to apply for a CARES grant should contact Financial Aid Office at 724-287-8711 Ext. 8345
CARES Grant awards will be based on need indicated during the application process.
Students will be contacted by email after completing the application process.
Students will receive their grant payment by paper check in the mail or if they are enrolled in the BC3 EZ Refund program they will receive the grant via ACH electronic payment.
Grant applications are reviewed weekly and disbursed weekly. Normally 1 week after completing the application process.
CARES funds are to be used to offset expenses due to COVID 19.
No. Students can submit a 20 -21 FAFSA application until June 30 2021. Students should be aware that CARES Funds are limited and will be disbursed on a first come first serve basis.
Please call the Financial Aid Office at 724-287-8711 Ext. 8345
Yes.
Frequently Asked Questions - Updated June 1, 2020
The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act was passed by Congress and signed into law on March 27, 2020. One aspect of the act was the creation of the Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund (HEERF). HEERF provides funds to institutions for emergency grants to students whose lives have been disrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Visit the HEERF Emergency Grants website to learn more.
BC3 has been allocated $941,416 to provide Emergency Grants to students for expenses related to the disruption of campus operations due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Funds are intended to help with academically related expenses such as food, housing, course materials, technology, healthcare, and childcare.
BC3’s allocation was determined by the US Department of Education based on the number of Pell Grant-eligible students enrolled on campus (70% of the weight) and the overall enrollment (30% of the weight). Given the weighting, Congress clearly intends the funds to go to students with the most financial need.
On May 14, 2020 BC3 distributed $657,450.00 in HEERF funds to 1,461 eligible BC3 students with each student receiving a CARES grant award of $450.00. We know that many students' may have additional financial needs related to COVID-19 pandemic, so additional resources will also be distributed to enrolled and qualifying students. The federal government has allowed up to a year to distribute these funds for this reason.
JUNE 1, 2020 UPDATE - BC3 students no longer are required to be Title IV eligible or have a completed 19-20 FAFSA on file. Students must be a US citizen or eligible non-citizen. BC3 Students only need to complete the application in order to become eligible for a BC3 CARES Grant. Grant funds are limited and students will be served on a first come, first served basis.
The information in the paragraph below is only for historical record and no longer accurate as of June 1, 2020.
Only students who are or could be eligible to participate in programs under Section 484 in Title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965, as amended (HEA), may receive emergency financial aid grants. If a student has filed a 19-20 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and has demonstrated eligibility to participate in programs under Section 484 the HEA. Students who have not filed a 19-20 FAFSA but who are eligible to file also may receive emergency financial aid grants. The criteria to participate in programs under Section 484 of the HEA include but are not limited to the following criteria:
- Degree seeking at BC3
- Not enrolled in elementary or secondary school
- Be making Satisfactory Academic Progress
- Not owe an overpayment on Title IV grants or be in default on a Title IV loan
- Be a US citizen or national permanent resident or an eligible non-citizen
- Have Selective Service registration verified
- Have a valid Social Security number
- High School graduate or equivalent
JUNE 1, 2020 UPDATE - BC3 students no longer are required to fill out a 19-20 FAFSA. BC3 Students only need to complete the application in order to become eligible for a BC3 CARES Grant. Grant funds are limited and students will be served on a first come, first served basis.
The information in the paragraph below is only for historical record and no longer accurate as of June 1, 2020.
Yes, BC3 must have a completed 19-20 FAFSA on file in order to disburse a CAREs grant. This can be done at www.studentaid.gov
Yes – if a student is eligible for an emergency grant, then they will receive the money even if they have current financial holds or owe the campus fees or fines.
No, all students that are enrolled as of March 13, 2020 of the spring 2020 semester are eligible for CAREs grants regardless of the number of course or credit they are enrolled in.
JUNE 1, 2020 UPDATE - BC3 Students only need to complete the application in order to become eligible for a BC3 CARES Grant. Grant funds are limited and students will be served on a first come, first served basis.
The information in the paragraph below is only for historical record and no longer accurate as of June 1, 2020.
Eligible students will receive the CAREs grants automatically and are not required to take any additional action. CAREs grants will be automatically disbursed to students through the Finance Office. No application is needed for the initial grant awards.
Each CARES grant will be for $450.00. The $450 grant was based on general estimated costs for all eligible students who were moved to online classes as a result of the coronavirus.
Estimated costs:
Broadband Access (3 months at $75/ month) $225.00
Printer related expenses (cartridges & paper) $150.00
Computer equipment, supplies, software subscriptions $ 75.00
Total$450.00
JUNE 1, 2020 UPDATE- After students complete the required application students will be notified of the approval of their CARES grant request by email which will be sent to their BC3 email account.
The information in the paragraph below is only for historical record and no longer accurate as of June 1, 2020.
Students will be notified by regular mail and by email. Letters and emails were sent on May 14th and 15th.
Students who are enrolled in the BC3 EZ Refund program will receive their CAREs grant electronically. All other students will receive a check in the mail.
JUNE 1, 2020 UPDATE- Approved CARES grant requests will be processed for payment once a week. Student can expect payment in 5-7 days after they receive an email approval of their CARES Grant application.
The information in the paragraph below is only for historical record and no longer accurate as of June 1, 2020.
EZ Refund Students should receive their funds electronically on May 14, 2020 or May 15, 2020. Students not enrolled in the EZ Refund should receive their checks by mail 3 to 5 business days from May 15, 2020.
The grant is intended to reimburse the student for academic-related expenses incurred due to COVID-19. Examples include expenses related to food, housing, course materials, technology, healthcare, and childcare. The student will not have to maintain receipts or provide any accounting of the expenses.
JUNE 1, 2020 UPDATE- A completed FAFSA is no longer required. BC3 Students only need to complete the application application in order to become eligible for a BC3 CARES Grant. Grant funds are limited and students will be served on a first come, first served basis
The information in the two paragraphs below is only for historical record and no longer accurate as of June 1, 2020.
We encourage all students to complete the FAFSA for both the current year (2019-2020) and for the upcoming year (2020-2021). Although you may not be eligible for the initial disbursements of these CAREs grants now, you may be eligible for CARES/HEERF emergency grants and other funds in the future.
Students can complete the 2019-20 FAFSA through June 30, 2020. The 2019-20 FAFSA covers the spring 2020 and summer 2020 terms. Completing the FAFSA will allow students to be considered for many kinds of financial aid.
Please send questions to CARESGrant@bc3.edu
Absolutely! If the COVID-19 pandemic has not impacted your financial situation, then you can choose to donate your grant funds to the BC3 Foundation to directly support other students in need. We cannot redirect your CAREs grant to this fund, but once you receive the funds, you can support others by making a personal donation. View more information
Frequently Asked Questions - May 15, 2020
The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act was passed by Congress and signed into law on March 27, 2020. One aspect of the act was the creation of the Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund (HEERF). HEERF provides funds to institutions for emergency grants to students whose lives have been disrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Visit the HEERF Emergency Grants website to learn more.
BC3 has been allocated $941,416 to provide Emergency Grants to students for expenses related to the disruption of campus operations due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Funds are intended to help with academically related expenses such as food, housing, course materials, technology, healthcare, and childcare.
BC3’s allocation was determined by the US Department of Education based on the number of Pell Grant-eligible students enrolled on campus (70% of the weight) and the overall enrollment (30% of the weight). Given the weighting, Congress clearly intends the funds to go to students with the most financial need.
On May 14, 2020 BC3 distributed $657,450.00 in HEERF funds to 1,461 eligible BC3 students with each student receiving a CARES grant award of $450.00. We know that many students' may have additional financial needs related to COVID-19 pandemic, so additional resources will also be distributed to enrolled and qualifying students. The federal government has allowed up to a year to distribute these funds for this reason.
Only students who are or could be eligible to participate in programs under Section 484 in Title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965, as amended (HEA), may receive emergency financial aid grants. If a student has filed a 19-20 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and has demonstrated eligibility to participate in programs under Section 484 the HEA. Students who have not filed a 19-20 FAFSA but who are eligible to file also may receive emergency financial aid grants. The criteria to participate in programs under Section 484 of the HEA include but are not limited to the following criteria:
- Degree seeking at BC3
- Not enrolled in elementary or secondary school
- Be making Satisfactory Academic Progress
- Not owe an overpayment on Title IV grants or be in default on a Title IV loan
- Be a US citizen or national permanent resident or an eligible non-citizen
- Have Selective Service registration verified
- Have a valid Social Security number
- High School graduate or equivalent
Yes, BC3 must have a completed 19-20 FAFSA on file in order to disburse a CAREs grant. This can be done at www.studentaid.gov
Yes – if a student is eligible for an emergency grant, then they will receive the money even if they have current financial holds or owe the campus fees or fines.
No, all students that are enrolled as of March 13, 2020 of the spring 2020 semester are eligible for CAREs grants regardless of the number of course or credit they are enrolled in.
Eligible students will receive the CAREs grants automatically and are not required to take any additional action. CAREs grants will be automatically disbursed to students through the Finance Office. No application is needed for the initial grant awards.
Each CARES grant will be for $450.00. The $450 grant was based on general estimated costs for all eligible students who were moved to online classes as a result of the coronavirus.
Estimated costs:
Broadband Access (3 months at $75/ month) $225.00
Printer related expenses (cartridges & paper) $150.00
Computer equipment, supplies, software subscriptions $ 75.00
Total$450.00
Students will be notified by regular mail and by email. Letters and emails were sent on May 14th and 15th.
Students who are enrolled in the BC3 EZ Refund program will receive their CAREs grant electronically. All other students will receive a check in the mail.
EZ Refund Students should receive their funds electronically on May 14, 2020 or May 15, 2020. Students not enrolled in the EZ Refund should receive their checks by mail 3 to 5 business days from May 15, 2020.
The grant is intended to reimburse the student for academic-related expenses incurred due to COVID-19. Examples include expenses related to food, housing, course materials, technology, healthcare, and childcare. The student will not have to maintain receipts or provide any accounting of the expenses.
We encourage all students to complete the FAFSA for both the current year (2019-2020) and for the upcoming year (2020-2021). Although you may not be eligible for the initial disbursements of these CAREs grants now, you may be eligible for CARES/HEERF emergency grants and other funds in the future.
Students can complete the 2019-20 FAFSA through June 30, 2020. The 2019-20 FAFSA covers the spring 2020 and summer 2020 terms. Completing the FAFSA will allow students to be considered for many kinds of financial aid.
Please send questions to CARESGrant@bc3.edu
Absolutely! If the COVID-19 pandemic has not impacted your financial situation, then you can choose to donate your grant funds to the BC3 Foundation to directly support other students in need. We cannot redirect your CAREs grant to this fund, but once you receive the funds, you can support others by making a personal donation. View more information