Cares Act for Students | Administrative Services

Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act of 2021

The Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act provided funding for students who have experienced an unexpected expense or hardship as a result of the disruption of campus operations due to COVID-19.

Montana Tech has signed and returned the certification and agreement form to receive funds on 4/13/2020 and has agreed to use no less than 50% of the funds to provide emergency financial aid grants to students.  In total Montana Tech is set to receive $1,676,199 of which $838,100 will be awarded as HEERF emergency grants to students.

This site will be updated with the total amount that has been distributed, the estimated total number of students at the institution who may be eligible to participate, and the total number of students who have received an emergency financial aid grant every 45 days.

Current Awarding Information

The Emergency Student Support Fund Committee had identified 1097 students as of January 25, 2021 as being 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 under section 18004(a)(1) of the CARES Act.

The total number of students with a grant processed as of January 25, 2021 is 537 for a total of $429,600.

Under the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act 2021 (CRRSAA), the remaining $408,500 from the CARES Act will be granted to eligible students under the new guidance.

Qualifications

Recipients must meet Title IV eligibility criteria from section 484 of the Higher Education Act (HEA).  The requirements are:

  • Be enrolled or accepted for enrollment in a degree or certificate program.
  • Not be enrolled in elementary or secondary school.
  • For currently enrolled students, be making satisfactory academic progress.
  • Not owe an overpayment on Title IV grants or loans.
  • Not be in default on a Title IV loan.
  • File “as part of the original financial aid application process” a certification that includes
    • A statement of educational purpose.
    • Student’s SSN
  • Be a U.S. citizen or national, permanent resident, or other eligible noncitizen.
  • Have returned fraudulently obtained Title IV funds if convicted of or pled guilty or no contest to charges.
  • Not have fraudulently received Title IV loans in excess of annual or aggregate limits.
  • Have repaid Title IV loan amounts in excess of annual or aggregate limits if obtained inadvertently.
  • Have Selective Service registration verified.
  • Have Social Security Number verified.
  • Not have a federal or state conviction for drug possession or sale, with certain time limitations.

Recipients cannot be enrolled in an on-line program.

Recipients must have incurred an expense as a result of the disruption of campus operations due to the COVID-19 crisis.

Procedure to Request Funds

These funds have been expended. Therefore, no additional funding is available. The survey link is closed.

Students who have been identified as meeting the minimum requirements for receiving HEERF grant aid received a link to a brief application.  Please email financial aid at financialaid@mtech.edu if you believe you meet the requirements but did not receive the survey link.

The survey collects information on the expense(s) that was/were incurred and the dollar amount of the expense.  The details of the student’s information and circumstances will be kept confidential.

The Emergency Student Support Fund Committee will consider each request and determine whether the expense qualifies for receiving the HEERF grant aid.  Decisions will be made as soon as possible.

The Committee will:

  • Review the application;
  • Decide to accept, reject or suggest other resources to address the need; and
  • If request is accepted, determine the appropriate dollar amount. Business Services will mail the check to the student’s billing address on-file.

Examples of expenses that may have been incurred due to the disruption of campus operations due to the COVID-19 crisis:

  • Technology and connectivity needs related to distance learning
  • Books and other instructional expenses
  • Housing/Rent/Utilities
  • Food/Groceries
  • Personal Automobile/Transportation
  • Medical/Healthcare Costs