Pierpont Community and Technical College
CARES ACT Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund Reporting
Emergency Financial Aid to Students

Statutory Authority: Section 18004 (e) of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security
Act (CARES ACT), Pub. L. No 116-136, 134 Stat. 281 (March 27, 2020) provided $577,399 to
Pierpont Community and Technical College that was restricted for distribution of emergency
grants to students for expenses related to the disruption of campus operations due to coronavirus
including eligible expenses under a student’s cost of attendance such as food, housing, utilities,
course materials, technology, health care, and child care.

Section 1004(a)(1) requires the following information to be made available in a format and
location that is easily accessible to the public within 30 days after the date when the institution
received its allocation of funds (April 27, 2020) from the Department of Education and then within
10 days of the end of each quarter of the year. The following information includes all required
disclosures:

1. Pierpont Community and Technical College signed and returned to the Department of
   Education, the Certification and Agreement and the assurance that the institution would
   use, no less than 50% ($577,399) of the funds received under Section 18004(a)(1) of the
   CARES Act to provide Emergency Financial Aid Grants to Students.
2. Pierpont Community and Technical College received a total of $1,154,797 in CARES Act
   funding pursuant to the Institution’s Certification and Agreement for Emergency Financial
   Aid Grants to Students. As required the institution will distribute 50% ($577,399) directly
   to students.
3. As of September 30, 2020, Pierpont Community and Technical College has disbursed a
   total of $241,350.00 in Emergency Financial Aid Grants to eligible students under Section
   18004(a)(1) of the CARES Act.
4. The total number of students at the institution eligible to receive Emergency Financial Aid
   Grants to students under Section 18004(a)(1) of the CARES Act is 980 students.
5. The total number of students who have received an Emergency Financial Aid Grant under
   Section 18004(a)(1) of the CARES Act is 349 students.
6. Pierpont Community and Technical College determined that any student who met the
   eligibility requirements under Section 484 in Title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965
   and who were not enrolled in 100% online programs prior to March 27, 2020 were
   financially impacted by the disruption of campus operations due to coronavirus. Eligibility
   for Section 484 of Title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965 was determined by
   requiring all students to complete a 2019-2020 or 2020-2021 FAFSA and by a review of
   each student’s compliance with Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP). Students who
   failed to complete a FAFSA or comply with SAP were deemed to be ineligible to receive
   an Emergency Financial Aid Grant.
   
   • College officials identified the following campus provided resources that were lost
     during the disruption of services caused by the Coronavirus (Revised October 5, 2020):
     • Under normal operating conditions, the Institution provides all students
       with access to computer labs, printers, photocopiers, and workstations
       throughout all of its locations.
     • The Institution provides students who have food security issues access to
       our on-site student food pantry which is not available during campus
       closure.
     • Under normal operating conditions, the Institution provides all students
       with access to internet service throughout all of its locations.
     • The Institution offers student support and mental health support services on
       our campuses. We also have a partnership with MVA Clinics for student
       healthcare. The significant changes caused by the Coronavirus and the
       related disruption to our campuses caused heightened anxiety and stress
       which manifested itself in a greater need for assistance and support.
   • In addition to the campus provided resources above, the Institution is also taking
     into consideration, per the Ed guidance we’ve received, the following:
     • Housing (Rent/Mortgage Assistance)
     • Utility Bills
     • Childcare
   • The Institution developed an online request form for students who felt they had a
     financial need caused by disruption of classes that addressed technology issues,
     food insecurity, utility bills, including but not limited to internet service, housing
     (rent/mortgage assistance), medical expenses, course materials, and childcare.
     The request form is available on our website. Students were notified about the
     opportunity in many ways including email, faculty announcements, and phone
     calls.
   • Nearly all students who were attending campus-based courses utilize computer
     hardware, WIFI, photocopiers, software, and printers provided at the campuses.
     When the Coronavisus forced the closing of our campuses, these resources were no
     longer available to students. Moving to a 100% online format meant that students
     had no choice but to obtain these resources on their own. The Institution believes
     that this factor alone qualifies any student who meets the eligibility requirements
     under Section 484 in Title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965 and who were
     not previously enrolled in 100% online majors to receive an allocation to cover the
     cost of acquiring hardware (computers, printers, or other required electronic
     devices) and to help pay for WIFI access through DSL internet or “hot spot”
     technology. This allocation amount has not been determined at this time as all
     students who have completed a request form will be reviewed first and then the
     remaining funds will be given to students who did not complete a request once they
     confirm they are in need of assistance.
   • Before any Emergency Financial Aid Grants were distributed, each student’s
     eligibility was confirmed by the Office of Financial Aid.
   • The Institution established a separate refund code to track all CARES’ Act
     Emergency Financial Aid Grants to ensure that funds were not diverted to pay any (Revised October 5, 2020) balances due to the Institution for unpaid tuition or fees. Once the disbursements
     were processed, checks were mailed via US mail to students’ current mailing
     address on file.
7. Communications to Students. Communication is being sent to all students via their secure
   institutional email account. Students who did not complete a request form were not notified
   specifically that they did not qualify for funds. They will be reviewed at a later time and
   communication will be sent at that time. Students who completed a request form but were
   not eligible, were sent a brief notification that included the reason that they did not qualify
   (online degree program, not making satisfactory academic progress, etc.). Students who
   were awarded, are being asked to confirm their request by either completing a
   “Confirmation Statement” and returning to Office of Financial Aid or by responding to the
   internal email communication stating that they agree and confirm their request. The awarded student is then sent the following communication via US mail with a check enclosed: