HEERF Funding

Flagler Technical College (FTC) has signed and returned to the Department of Education a Certification and Agreement for use of funds provided under the CARES Act Section 18004(a)(1). No less than 50% of those funds will be used to provide emergency financial aid grants to students.

The total amount of funds that FTC will receive from the Department pursuant to the institution’s Certification and Agreement is $33,483.

Approximately 60 students at FTC should be eligible to participate in programs under Section 484 in Title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965 and thus eligible to receive Emergency Financial Aid Grants to students under Section 18004(a)(1) of the CARES Act.

Currently no students have received an Emergency Financial Aid Grant under Section 18004(a)(1) of the CARES Act. FTC is completing policies and procedures to align with the guidance provided by the U.S. Department of Education.

To determine which FTC students will receive Emergency Financial Aid Grants our institution has developed a “Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund-IHE/Student-CARES Act” application. Students who were enrolled in classes on March 13, 2020, have earned a high school diploma, GED, or a U.S. Equivalency certification on file, and are a U.S. citizen or an eligible noncitizen will be sent the application to request these need-based funds. All students will be required to complete a FAFSA application using FTC’s School Code 041583. This information will be used to verify the student’s eligibility per the guidance provided by the U.S. Department of Education.

FTC will initially use block grants of $250 to distribute to eligible students under Section 18004(a)(1) of the CARES Act. These funds are limited so FTC will distribute on a first-come/first-serve basis. Additional funds may be available to students as future funding is awarded to FTC through the CARES Act.

On April 20, 2020, the FTC Director sent out an Official Notification to all active students through our school portal. This notification included information on a student survey that was emailed to students on “How COVID-19 Has Affected You.” Students were asked to take a few minutes to fill out the survey as it may affect future funding opportunities for the students. Program Facilitators and instructors reiterated the importance of completing the survey during their distance education classes.

On Tuesday, April 21, 2020, the U.S. Department of Education released additional information regarding emergency assistance for higher education, including institutions and students under the Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund (HEERF) established by Section 18004(a)(1) of the CARES Act. This guidance affected many of our active students who are no longer eligible for the emergency funds.

FTC students will receive an email communication regarding the “Higher Education Emergency Relief Funds” shortly. These emergency relief funds relate to a student’s expenses arising from the disruption of campus operations due to the coronavirus. If you were an active student on March 13, 2020 at FTI and have earned a high school diploma, GED, or a have a U.S. Equivalency certification on file you will receive the “Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund-IGE/Student- CARES Act application. Students must submit the application and complete a free FAFSA application (Pell grant) for the 2019–20 school year using FTC’s School Code 041583 to request funds. If you filled out an application for FAFSA, it is possible there is no further action required on the student’s part. Please monitor your email as updates come to our institution daily.

Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund (HEERF) under the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2021 (CRRSAA)

Revised 11/17/2021

Flagler Technical College (FTC) signed and returned a Certification and Agreement with the Department of Education to accept allocated funds from the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2021 (CRRSAA), Public Law 116-260, also known as HEERF II to provide emergency financial aid grants.

The CRRSAA requires that institutions spend at least the same dollar amount on student grants as they were required to spend under the CARES Act. In addition, the allowable uses of funds are more flexible than in the CARES Act, meaning the funds may be used for any component of the cost of and emergency costs that arise due to the coronavirus attendance (i.e., tuition, fees, housing, food, health care including mental health care).

FTC has received a total of $33,484.00 in HEERF I and II for student emergency aid and distributed $16,742 to 17 students as of 3/31/2021.

No funds have been pulled down from HEERF II at this time. The Grant Award Notification was received on March 21, 2021. FTC will develop procedures to distribute these funds following U.S. Department of Education guidance.

CARES Act: Higher Education Emergency Relief Funds Reporting Update

Final Report: October 28, 2020

All funds ($16,742) in the student portion of the Higher Education Emergency Relief Funds, Grant Award P425E202164, have been disbursed to students.

Report posted August 7, 2020

Flagler Technical College (formerly Flagler Technical Institute) has received the student portion of the Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund (HEERF), and the institution portion of the Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund (HEERF), which was provided under the CARES Act Section 18004(a)(1). These funds were made available to Flagler Technical College (FTC) on July 20, 2020.

Before the emergency relief funds were disbursed, FTC reached out to ninety-one (91) students to determine eligibility for these funds. These students were selected based on information that was entered during the registration process. The Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund-IHE/Student, Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act application (Google Form) was sent via email to these students who were enrolled in FTC during the COVID-19 crisis. The application informed students the following:

“The U.S. Department of Education has made available emergency relief funds that Flagler Technical Institute can distribute to students that are eligible to receive federal student aid, and who need financial support for their expenses related to the disruption of campus operations due to the COVID-19 crisis (including education expenses, course materials, technology, food, housing, healthcare and childcare). This request form allows students to request these need-based grants.”

All students were instructed on the application to complete a FAFSA application using FTC’s school code 041583. Additional phone calls were made to inform each student of the CARES Act funds and the HEERF application that was emailed.

The student application and Institutional Student Information Record (ISIR) was used to verify the student’s eligibility per the guidance provided by the U.S. Department of Education. Flagler Technical College followed this guidance to determine what students were eligible. This guidance states that students must meet the eligibility criteria under Section 484 in Title IV of the Higher Education Act in order to receive Higher Education Emergency Relief Funds. The federal aid eligibility criteria, includes but is not limited to:

• Being a U.S. citizen or eligible non-citizen (i.e. permanent resident or conditional permanent resident)
• Having a valid Social Security number
• Having a high school diploma, GED or completion of high school in an approved homeschool setting
• Degree-seeking
• Enrolled in the term for which they are seeking assistance
• Cannot be in default on federal student loans
• Registered with Selective Service, if male
• Meeting satisfactory academic progress
• Cannot exceed aggregate loan limit or Pell Grant lifetime usage
• Cannot owe an overpayment on federal aid programs

Twenty-three (23) students responded to the HEERF application. Six (6) students were deemed ineligible based on U.S. Department of Education guidance or due to the student not completing the necessary documentation to verify if they were eligible. Seventeen (17) students were determined to meet requirements. Flagler Technical College received an allocation of $16,742. Seventeen (17) students received block grants of approximately $984.

All eligible students received a letter with their funds stating that based on the information that was provided on their Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund-IHE/Student-CARES Act application they have met the eligibility to receive these need-based funds. By signing the enclosed check the student attests that all information provided on their application is true and accurate and that the funds will be used to cover the costs of expenses incurred during the COVID-19 crisis. If they had any further questions or it was determined that they were not eligible to receive these funds, students were instructed to contact Financial Aid.

All funds ($16,742) in the Higher Education Emergency Relief Funds, student portion, Grant Award P425E202164, have been disbursed to students.

Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund (HEERF) under the American Rescue Plan Act, 2021

Revised 11/17/2021

Flagler Technical College (FTC) signed and returned a Certification and Agreement with the Department of Education to accept allocated funds from the American Rescue Plan Act, 2021 (ARP), Public Law 117-2, also known as HEERF III to provide emergency financial aid grants. The third round of funding appropriated for HEERF are authorized by the ARP to prevent, prepare for, and respond to coronavirus.

In keeping with the terms of acceptance of these funds, FTC will use these funds to provide Emergency Financial Aid grants directly to all eligible students. In distributing these funds, FTC will follow instructions and guidance provided by the U.S. Department of Education to determine how to allocate these funds to eligible students.

FTC has received a total of $124,240.00 in HEERF I, II, and III for student emergency aid and distributed $16,742 to 17 students as of 6/30/2021.

No funds have been pulled down from HEERF II or HEERF III at this time. The HEERF III Grant Award Notification was received on June 9, 2021. FTC is developing procedures to distribute these funds following U.S. Department of Education guidance.

Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund (HEERF) under the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2021 (CRRSAA) and the American Rescue Plan Act, 2021

Flagler Technical College (FTC) signed and returned a Certification and Agreement with the Department of Education to accept allocated funds from the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2021 (CRRSAA), Public Law 116-260, also known as HEERF II and the American Rescue Plan Act, 2021 (ARP), Public Law 117-2, also known as HEERF III to provide emergency financial aid grants.

The CRRSAA requires that institutions spend at least the same dollar amount on student grants as they were required to spend under the CARES Act. In addition, the allowable uses of funds are more flexible than in the CARES Act, meaning the funds may be used for any component of the cost of and emergency costs that arise due to the coronavirus attendance (i.e., tuition, fees, housing, food, health care including mental health care). The third round of funding appropriated for HEERF is authorized by the ARP to prevent, prepare for, and respond to coronavirus.

The CRRSAA award amount was $16,742 and the ARP was $90,756. The total additional student funds received by FTC was $107,498. In keeping with the terms of acceptance of these funds, FTC will use these funds to provide Emergency Financial Aid grants directly to all eligible students. In distributing these funds, FTC has followed instructions and guidance provided by the U.S. Department of Education to determine how to allocate these funds to eligible students. FTC has received a total of $124,240.00 in HEERF I, II, and III for student emergency aid and distributed $124,240.00 as of 9/30/2021.

FTC determined that 366 students were eligible in Quarter 3 to receive Emergency Financial Aid Grants under the CRRSAA and ARP (a)(1) and (a)(4) and that 354 students received the funds. Twelve (12) students who were eligible to receive the funding returned their portion or did not respond to any outreach. These funds will be reissued to students prioritizing those with exceptional financial need.

FTC used the following method to determine who would receive Emergency Financial Aid Grants and how much each student would receive. Eligibility was determined by students who were enrolled during the Fall 2020 semester and the Spring 2021 semester. The ARP Act expanded the eligibility to include all students who are or were enrolled during the COVID-19 national emergency include U.S. Citizens; Permanent Residents; Refugees; Asylum Seekers; DACA recipients; DREAMers; and other undocumented students.

Eligible students were not required to complete a FAFSA in order to receive HEERF II or HEERF III funds, but in order to prioritize students with exceptional need, as related to components of the student’s cost of attendance, FTC used the information on the FAFSA to qualify those with exceptional need.

In an attempt to meet Congress’s intent to deliver emergency student aid relief as expeditiously as possible, while prioritizing students with exceptional financial need, FTC used five different categories.

1. Pell eligible and a completed Student Application for Higher Education Student Funds ($475.00)
2. Pell eligible and did not complete the Student Application for Higher Education Student Funds ($450.00)
3. Completed the Student Application for Higher Education Student Funds and indicated “high exceptional need," extraordinary financial circumstances, and faced significant unexpected expenses ($425.00)
4. Completed the Student Application for Higher Education Student Funds and indicated “exceptional need," extraordinary financial circumstances ($399.51 - 10 students; $399.56 – 1 student)
5. Remaining eligible students who were enrolled in the Fall 2020 and Spring 2021 semesters (Remaining amount divided by number of students - $269.18 each)

FTC informed students of the availability of the HEERF funding through the college’s website. FTC included an online Google form for students to complete, which included both the eligibility requirements for Emergency Financial Aid grants and the deadline to submitting the application. All students enrolled during the Fall 2020 and Spring 2021 terms were mailed a letter, sent a direct email, as well as a phone call alerting them to the availability of the HEERF II and HEERF III funds. Students were directed to the website to complete the application before the deadline.

HEERF funds ($107,498) were pulled down and paper checks were distributed to students by September 2021. The number of students that received HEERF funds during this reporting period were as follows:

• Category 1 ($475.00): 14 Students
• Category 2 ($450.00): 12 Students
• Category 3 ($425.00): 16 Students
• Category 4 ($399.51): 10 Students, ($399.56): 1 student
• Category 5 ($269.13): 313 Students

Total HEERF Funds Distributed: $107,498.00

Twelve (12) student checks were returned to FTC due to the student not accepting the funds or being unable to reach the student by phone, mail, or email. These funds ($3,230.16) will be reissued to students in Category 1 demonstrating the most need, who did not receive funding from HEERF I. This will be distributed in the beginning of the next reporting period.

Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund (HEERF) under the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2021 (CRRSAA) and the American Rescue Plan Act, 2021

Flagler Technical College (FTC) signed and returned a Certification and Agreement with the Department of Education to accept allocated funds from the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES), Public Law 116-136, Section 18004(a)(1), also known as HEERF (Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund), the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2021 (CRRSAA), Public Law 116-260, also known as HEERF II and the American Rescue Plan Act, 2021 (ARP), Public Law 117-2, also known as HEERF III, to provide emergency financial aid grants.

The CRRSAA requires that institutions spend at least the same dollar amount on student grants as they were required to spend under the CARES Act. In addition, the allowable uses of funds are more flexible than in the CARES Act, meaning the funds may be used for any component of the cost of and emergency costs that arise due to the coronavirus attendance (i.e., tuition, fees, housing, food, health care including mental health care). The third round of funding appropriated for HEERF is authorized by the ARP to prevent, prepare for, and respond to coronavirus.

FTC has received a total of $124,240.00 in HEERF I, II, and III for student emergency aid and has distributed $124,240.00 as of 12/31/2021. In keeping with the terms of acceptance of these funds, FTC used these funds to provide Emergency Financial Aid grants directly to all eligible students. In distributing these funds, FTC has followed instructions and guidance provided by the U.S. Department of Education to determine how to allocate these funds to eligible students.

FTC determined at the end of the third quarter that twelve (12) students who were eligible to receive the funding returned their portion or did not respond to any outreach. These funds were reissued to students prioritizing those with exceptional financial need.

FTC used the following method to determine who would receive the remaining Emergency Financial Aid Grants and how much each student would receive. Eligibility was determined by students who were enrolled during the Fall 2020 semester and the Spring 2021 semester. The eligibility included all students who are or were enrolled during the COVID-19 national emergency to include U.S. Citizens; Permanent Residents; Refugees; Asylum Seekers; DACA recipients; DREAMers; and other undocumented students. Eligible students were not required to complete a FAFSA in order to receive HEERF II or HEERF III funds, but in order to prioritize students with exceptional need, as related to components of the student’s cost of attendance, FTC used the information on the FAFSA to qualify those with exceptional need.

In an attempt to meet Congress’s intent to deliver emergency student aid relief as expeditiously as possible, while prioritizing students with exceptional financial need, FTC used the eligible students in Category 1 to redistribute the funds returned.

Pell Eligible with Student Application for Higher Education Student Funds

HEERF funds ($107,498) were pulled down in Quarter 3 and paper checks were distributed to students at the end of the quarter. Twelve (12) student checks were returned to FTC at the end of September and the beginning of October due to the student not accepting the funds or being unable to reach the student by phone, mail, or email. These funds ($2,960.98) were reissued to students in Category 1 showing the most need that did not receive funding from HEERF I. The number of students that received HEERF funds during this reporting period were as follows:

• Category 1: 10 Students
  • $296.10: 9 Students
  • $296.08: 1 Student

Total HEERF funds distributed in Quarter 4: $2,960.98

As of December 31, 2021 all HEERF Funds (Student Portion) have been distributed to eligible students.

Total funds distributed $124,240.00

A review of our current bank statement shows seventeen (17) checks ($4,576.06)  issued on September 20th and 21st have not cleared the bank as of December 31, 2021. An additional $269.18 was returned to the school and voided. A final review of January 2022 bank statement will be done before voiding checks and redistributing funds.

Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund (HEERF) under the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2021 (CRRSAA) and the American Rescue Plan Act, 2021

Flagler Technical College (FTC) signed and returned a Certification and Agreement with the Department of Education to accept allocated funds from the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES), Public Law 116-136, Section 18004(a)(1), also known as HEERF (Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund), the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2021 (CRRSAA), Public Law 116-260, also known as HEERF II and the American Rescue Plan Act, 2021 (ARP), Public Law 117-2, also known as HEERF III, to provide emergency financial aid grants.

The CRRSAA requires that institutions spend at least the same dollar amount on student grants as they were required to spend under the CARES Act. In addition, the allowable uses of funds are more flexible than in the CARES Act, meaning the funds may be used for any component of the cost of and emergency costs that arise due to the coronavirus attendance (i.e., tuition, fees, housing, food, health care including mental health care). The third round of funding appropriated for HEERF is authorized by the ARP to prevent, prepare for, and respond to coronavirus.

FTC has received a total of $124,240.00 in HEERF I, II, and III for student emergency aid and had distributed $124,240.00 as of 12/31/2021. In keeping with the terms of acceptance of these funds, FTC used these funds to provide Emergency Financial Aid grants directly to all eligible students. In distributing these funds, FTC has followed instructions and guidance provided by the U.S. Department of Education to determine how to allocate these funds to eligible students. 

A review of our bank statement shows that 13 HEERF checks were not cashed or were returned in the mail. The total amount not cleared is $3,499.34. FTC will make these emergency relief funds available to students who have experienced emergency costs due to the coronavirus or who may have missed classes due to contracting the virus. 

FTC will use the following method to determine who would receive the remaining Emergency Financial Aid Grants and how much each student will receive. Eligibility will be determined by students who were enrolled at FTC and experienced a break in their programs due to contracting the coronavirus and/or students who may have requested assistance from our staff due to emergency costs that have arisen due to the coronavirus attendance (i.e., tuition, fees, housing, food, health care including mental health care).

In an attempt to meet Congress’s intent to deliver emergency student aid relief as expeditiously as possible, while prioritizing students with exceptional financial need, FTC will use three different categories.

• Pell eligible and a completed Student Application for Higher Education Student Funds 
• Completed the Student Application for Higher Education Student Funds and indicated “high exceptional need," extraordinary financial circumstances, and faced significant unexpected expenses 
• Completed the Student Application for Higher Education Student Funds and indicated “exceptional need," and extraordinary financial circumstances

FTC has compiled a list of 25 students who may be eligible to receive the remaining student portion of HEERF III funds. An electronic application will be sent to each of the students to determine their financial need. The remainder of the student emergency aid should be redistributed by April 29, 2022.