CARES Act for Students

KC CARES Pandemic Relief Grants for Students

The KC CARES Pandemic Relief Grant is made possible by the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2021 (CRRSAA) signed into law on December 27, 2020 and the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (ARP) signed into law March 11,2021. Both CRRSAA and ARP requires that institutions prioritize students with exceptional need in 2021. Due to this requirement, students who have the demonstrated financial need that allows them to receive a Pell grant will also receive the higher amount of $650 for their Pandemic Relief Grant. For Summer 2022, students must be enrolled in at least one credit hour to receive these funds.

Funds from the CRRSAA and ARP are intended to assist students with expenses for any component of the student’s cost of attendance or for emergency costs that arise due to coronavirus, such as tuition, food, housing, health care (including mental health care) or child care. All awards must adhere to federal statutory and regulatory requirements.

Important Dates:

• Summer 2022 enrollment will be verified on June 13th. Grants will not appear on accounts prior to that date. Students must be enrolled to receive this grant.
• Deadline for students to select their disbursement method is June 13th.

FAQs for  CRRSA Act and ARP funded Pandemic Grants

What is the CRRSA Act and ARP?                                                                                                                                                                                                   The CRRSA Act and ARP is federal legislation which provides a variety of financial support to individuals and organizations affected by the COVID-19 (novel coronavirus) pandemic. One part of this federal program allocates money to colleges and universities, and portions of this allocation can be awarded to students who are experiencing financial expenses due to COVID-19 and its related impacts.

What kinds of expenses are covered by this grant?                                                                                                                                                                    Funds from the Pandemic Relief Grant may be used for expenses related to a student’s cost of attendance or for emergency costs that arise due to coronavirus, such as tuition, food, housing, health care (including mental health care) or child care.

Would this funding reduce my financial aid?                                                                                                                                                                                    No, the grant funding does not impact your eligibility for other financial aid.

What if I do not make my disbursement selection in by the deadline ?                                                                                                                                            The entirety of your Pandemic Relief Grant will be refunded directly to you and will not be applied toward any balance you may have for the current semester so that you may determine how to best utilize the funds.                                          

FAQs for CARES Act (2020) and CRRSAA and ARP

Do I have to repay a CARES Act grant?
No. These funds are a grant, not a loan. There is no requirement to repay the grant funds.

Will this funding reduce my financial aid?
This is a one-time grant that does not reduce financial aid.

Is the CARES Act grant taxable?
No, but please visit the IRS website for more information.

Where can I go if I have more questions?
If you have any additional questions, please email kcfinaid@kaskaskia.edu.