News

Federal Reporting Requirements for HEERF Funds (2)

Posted on May 20, 2020 at 18:58 PM

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  • Ogeechee Technical College (OTC) signed and returned the Recipient’s Funding Certification and Agreement Emergency Financial Aid Grants to Students under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act on April 22, 2020. OTC intends to use the funds to provide the mandated amount of at least 50% of the emergency financial aid grants to students.

  • OTC has received $811,177 from the Department pursuant to the institution’s Certification and Agreement [for] Emergency Financial Aid Grants to Students.

  • As of 4/7/2021, OTC has disbursed $811,177 to students under Section 18004(a)(1) of the CARES Act.

  • OTC has identified 1,307 students who meet the criteria to receive Emergency Financial Aid Grants to students under Section 18004(a)(1) of the CARES Act.

  • As of 4/7/2021, OTC has disbursed 1,284 emergency grants to students under Section 18004(a)(1) of the CARES Act.

  • Students who were enrolled spring semester as of March 13th, and met eligibility requirements were selected to receive a $400 emergency grant. To determine how much grant money each student would receive, Ogeechee Technical College based distribution on the price of technology required for most students to transition to wholly online courses, more specifically an entry-level laptop.

  • Any funds left over from emergency assistance will be reallocated to all eligible enrolled students.

  • To ensure students were aware of the emergency grant, and to be as transparent as possible, the information was provided on OTC’s Transition Hub website and the following email was provided to students on 05/05/2020.

The CARES Act: Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund (HEERF) provides funding to institutions to provide emergency financial aid grants to eligible students whose lives have been disrupted, many of whom are facing financial challenges and struggling to make ends meet. Based on guidance from the Department of Education (ED) and to impact as many students as possible, the College’s plan distributes HEERF funds through a financial aid grant to eligible students equally no matter the number of hours they are enrolled in. The College based the initial distribution on the price of technology required for most students to transition to wholly online courses, more specifically an entry level laptop. Students can use funds to cover expenses such as food, housing, course materials, technology, health care, and childcare.

The College will distribute a financial aid grant of $400 to each eligible student enrolled for Spring Semester 2020. The financial aid grant will be applied to a student’s account and issued as a refund as students are verified as eligible. The grant will be awarded automatically and a request will not have to be made. For more information about refund distribution options, please visit our Refund Information website. Students can view their account through Banner Web and see if they have been awarded a grant.

Eligible students as outlined in the Higher Education Act include:

  • Students enrolled after March 13, 2020 in at least one (1) credit hour for a Title IV eligible program that leads to a certificate, diploma, or degree.
    • Title IV eligible programs are listed HERE and are indicated with an asterisk (*).
  • Student has submitted and the College has received an approved FAFSA for the 19/20 award year and has no outstanding verification requests.
    • If a student has not submitted a FAFSA for the 19/20 award year, it is not too late. Visit fafsa.gov to submit a Free Application for Federal Student Aid today.
  • Student has met all admission requirements including: Obtaining a HS diploma, GED, or equivalency.
  • A student’s Spring Semester Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) is under an eligible status (Good Standing, Warning, or an approved SAP appeal).

Students who are not eligible for the HEERF Grant include: 

  • Dual Enrolled (High School) Students 
  • Foreign Students 
  • Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) Students 
  • Transient Students 
  • Students who have defaulted student loans, over-payments, or other eligibility restrictions 
  • Students enrolled only in part-of-term that ended prior to March 13, 2020 
  • Students enrolled exclusively in online courses for Spring Semester 2020 

Distributions will begin once the College receives the funding from the Department of Education and student eligibility is verified by the College’s Financial Aid Department. Please note, eligibility may change based on guidance from the Department of Education.  

Additional Emergency Assistance Financial Aid Grants Available

If a student has a need for additional funds (in addition to the $400 Financial Aid Grant), he/she can submit a request through the Emergency Assistance Application Process. Funds not initially distributed will be available for eligible students based on an Emergency Assistance Application, documentation, and available funds. Emergency assistance funds are not guaranteed. Emergency Assistance can be a need for monetary assistance, technology items, and/or textbook/course items. Any student enrolled during Spring Semester 2020 who meets the eligibility requirements previously listed may apply. Once an application and appropriate documentation is submitted, students will be notified through their student email account of a decision.

Steps to apply for Emergency Assistance 

  1. Students can apply for Emergency Assistance by completing the Emergency Assistance/Lending Library application. Be as detailed as possible.
  2. The application will be reviewed by the Office of the Assistant Vice President for Student Affairs.
  3. Within 1-2 business days, the Office of the Assistant Vice President for Student Affairs will email the applicant with a decision on the Emergency Assistance application or a request for additional information.
  4. If approved, the monetary assistance, technology item, or textbook/course item will be provided to the applicant as soon as possible.

If you have questions about your HEERF distribution or eligibility, contact the Financial Aid Department via email at fa@ogeecheetech.edu or call 912.681.5500. You can also chat live with an advisor at www.ogeecheetech.edu.

Frequently asked questions about the Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund are available on the Transition Hub website.

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Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations (CRRSAA) Act Funding 
Student Portion of Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund (HEERF II) 
Ogeechee Technical College 


 
Plan:  
Based on guidance from the Department of Education (ED) and to impact as many students as possible, the College’s plan distributes HEERF II funds through a financial aid grant to eligible students (excluding dual enrolled and transient students) taking into consideration financial need as demonstrated through the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Students can use funds to cover expenses such as food, housing, course materials, technology, health care, and/or childcare. 

Below are the amounts of the financial aid grants that will be issued to eligible students (excluding dual enrolled and transient students) to the student populations identified below that are enrolled for Spring Semester 2021. If a student has a remaining account balance the funds can be applied directly to the balance if the student completes the authorization form; this form can be completed by students by signing into their BannerWeb account here and completing the form. Otherwise, the financial aid grant will be applied to a student’s account and issued as a refund. For more information about refund distribution options, please visit  this web page.  

  • $500 will be issued to students who have a $0 EFC on the 2020-2021 FAFSA
  • $400 will be issued to students who have greater than a $0 EFC on the 2020-2021 FAFSA or null EFC

Students who are not eligible for the HEERF Grant according to federal guidance include:

  • Foreign Students 
  • Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) Students 

Additional students who are excluded from the initial grant:

  • Dual Enrolled (High School) Students 
  • Transient Students 

Distributions will begin once the College receives the funding from the Department of Education. Please note, eligibility may change based on guidance from the Department of Education.  

Funds not initially distributed will be available for eligible students (including dual enrolled students) based on an Emergency Assistance Application, documentation, and available funds. Priority will be given to students receiving the PELL grant. Emergency assistance funds are not guaranteed. Any student enrolled during Spring Semester 2021 who meets the eligibility requirements previously listed may apply. Students will be notified through their student email account and information will be posted online.

Any funds left over from emergency assistance will be reallocated to all current students that received initial allocations.  

Ogeechee Technical College has continued to pay its employees and contractors during disruptions to the greatest extent possible. 
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 Institutional Quarterly Expenditure Reports

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  • Financial Aid