Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act (CRRSAA)
The Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act (CRRSAA) was signed into law on December 27, 2020. The CRRSAA established additional funding through the Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund (HEERF II) to address needs directly related to the coronavirus.
About the CRRSAA – HEERF II Grants
Lac Courte Oreilles Ojibwe College received the following supplemental grants from the Higher
Education Emergency Relief Fund (HEERF II):
• Student Portion - $64,677, which is designated to provide financial aid grants to students
• Institutional Portion - $60,560, which may be used to defray expenses associated with the coronavirus, carry out student support activities that address needs related to the coronavirus; and make additional financial aid grants to students.
Due to the small amount available under the Student portion the College has decided to issue both the Student and Institutional portion to Students.
CRRSAA – HEERF II Student Grant Information: Spring 2021 Semester
Similar to the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act with HEERF I funds, the CRRSAA - HEERF II funds are distributed as grants with appropriate use stipulations. The CRRSAA student grants must be used to cover expenses related to the student’s cost of attendance or for emergency costs that arise due to the coronavirus, such as tuition, food,
housing, health care (including mental health care), or childcare. Unlike the CARES Act, the CRRSAA requires that institutions prioritize students with exceptional need, such as students who receive Pell grants, and authorizes grants to students exclusively enrolled in distance education.
Our goal is to distribute the CRRSAA student grants as widely and equitably as possible, while prioritizing students with the greatest need. We recognize that all of our students have been impacted by the coronavirus pandemic and have faced financial challenges.
To be eligible, students must meet the following criteria:
• Be a U.S. citizen or national, permanent resident, or other eligible noncitizen.
• Obtained a high school diploma, GED, or completion of high school in an approved homeschool setting, with transcripts on file with LCOOC. This requirement may be waived for students admitted to special programs, such as native studies.
• Must use the CRRSAA student grant to cover expenses from any component of the student’s cost of attendance and/or emergency costs that arise due to the coronavirus, such as tuition, food, housing, health care (including mental health care), or childcare incurred after December 27, 2020.
• Be enrolled in at least one credit hour as of March 15, 2021. Students who have completely withdrawn or stopped attending all of their classes before March 15, 2021 are not eligible for a CRRSAA student grant.
• Dual enrolled high school students are not eligible for funding.
LCOOC will calculate the award for Spring 2021 Semester based on student enrollment status as of March 15, 2021. LCOOC is using a 3-tier approach to prioritize students with exceptional financial need based on the Expected Family Contribution (EFC) as determined by the FAFSA.
To ease the burden on students and distribute these funds more quickly, an application will not be required. LCOOC has identified which students meet the eligibility requirements and will notify them by email.
Checks will be issued and mailed to the student address on file. By accepting the payment, students are certifying that they will use the CRRSAA student grant to cover expenses from any component of their cost of attendance and/or emergency costs that arise due to the coronavirus, such as tuition, food, housing, health care (including mental health care), or childcare incurred after December 27, 2020.
Students will receive this funding directly, unless the student has given written, affirmative consent to apply the grant toward the student’s account balance.
LCOOC will mail checks to students on as soon as reasonably possible.
• Will I have to repay the CRRSAA student grant I receive?
o No. These are grants and do not have to be paid back.
• Will this funding affect my financial aid in the future?
o No. This grant will not be used in calculating your current or future financial aid awards.
• What if I owe LCOOC for tuition and/or other fees?
o Students may complete a CRRSAA Student Grant Consent Form to have the funds applied toward their student account balance or they may receive the full amount of the grant directly by check. Any outstanding balance owed to LCOOC will remain the responsibility of the student.
• I think I am eligible but did not receive a CRRSAA student grant. Who should I
contact?
o Please contact the Financial Aid Staff at 715-634-4790 or email finaid@lco.edu.
• Do I need to keep receipts of how these funds were spent?
o No. LCOOC will not require receipts or other documentation of how you spent the funds, but you are required to use the CRRSAA student grant to cover expenses from any component of your cost of attendance and/or emergency costs that arise due to the coronavirus, such as tuition, food, housing, health care (including mental health care), or childcare incurred after December 27, 2020.
• Is this funding taxable?
o No, the CRRSAA student grant is not taxable income.
• Will these funds be reported on the 1098-T?
o Yes. At this time, the IRS is requiring that CRRSAA student grants be reported on the 1098-T.
Other Resources
• Department of Education CRRSAA Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund (HEERF II) https://www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ope/crrsaa.html
• National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators (NASFAA) - Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund II (HEERF II) Reference Page https://www.nasfaa.org/heerf_ii
• NACUBO – Second Round of Emergency Grants to Students will Require 1098-T Reporting https://www.nacubo.org/News/2021/2/Second-Round-of-Emergency-Grants- to-Students-Will-Require-1098T-Reporting
