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American Rescue Plan information

On March 11, 2021, President Biden signed the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (ARP). The ARP appropriated funds for the Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund (HEERF) and represents the third stream of funding appropriated for HEERF, designating these funds as HEERF III. Eligibility included being a currently registered student during payment periods at KCC during the COVID-19 national emergency. The final date to apply for these funds was Jan. 28, 2022.

HEERF III funding was available for any component of a student’s cost of attendance or for emergency costs incurred due to COVID-19. This included tuition and fees, bookstore charges, food, housing, health care (including mental health care), childcare, transportation, and technology. These expenses had to be incurred on or after March 13, 2020, the date of the declaration of the national emergency.

KCC received $3.2 million in HEERF III grant funding to disburse to eligible students. In accordance with federal guidelines, KCC prioritized students with exceptional financial need.

Unless the student authorized KCC to direct funds to pay for tuition and fees, the HEERF III grant funds were mailed as a check to the address on the student account. The funding did not reduce financial aid and did not need to be repaid.

The main difference between HEERF III and HEERF II was the change in eligibility requirements. You are no longer required to be a U.S. citizen or eligible non-citizen to receive funding. All enrolled students are now eligible. This includes citizens, permanent residents, refugees, asylum seekers, Deferred Action for Childhood Arrival (DACA) recipients, other DREAMers, and similar undocumented students.

ARP Reporting

Emergency Financial Aid Grants to Students

Quarterly Budget and Expenditure Reporting under CARES Act Sections 18004(a)(1) Institutional Portion, 18004(a)(2), and 18004(a)(3)

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CRRSAA Information

What is a HEERF II Grant and how can it be used?

On December 27, 2020, the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2021 (CRRSAA) was signed into law. This law established the Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund (HEERF II) which includes aid for students and institutions.

Kankakee Community College will receive $633,577 in HEERF II grant funding to disburse to eligible students.

HEERF II grants can be used for any component of a student’s cost of attendance or for emergency costs due to COVID-19, such as tuition, food, housing, health care (including mental health care) or child care. These expenses had to have been incurred on or after March 13, 2020, the date of the declaration of the national emergency. Please note, in accordance with federal guidelines, Kankakee Community College will prioritize grants to students with exceptional financial need.

Eligibility

  • Be a U.S. citizen or eligible non-citizen (DACA, undocumented, and international students are not eligible to receive funding)
  • Be a currently registered student during payment periods at Kankakee Community College during the COVID-19 national emergency
  • Certify you have incurred expenses related to the coronavirus on or after March 13, 2020

Frequently Asked Questions

Is there an application required?

Yes, a HEERF II application is required. Eligible students have already been awarded. 

How will I know if I am approved?

You will receive an email to your student email account notifying you whether your application was approved or denied.

Will this funding reduce my financial aid?

No, this does not impact your financial aid.

If I am approved, will the funds be applied to my tuition and fees if I owe an outstanding balance?

KCC will only apply HEERF II grant funds towards any outstanding balance you owe if you indicated you needed assistance with tuition & fees or bookstore charges on your application.

How will students receive HEERF II Grant funds?

If you did not indicate that you need assistance with tuition & fees or bookstore charges on your application, you will be mailed a paper check to the address on your student account.

Does the money need to be repaid?

No, money received through this fund is a grant and does not need to be repaid.

What are the deadlines to apply?

There are no set deadlines to apply. Funding will be distributed on a first come, first served basis until funding is exhausted.

Where can I get more information?

If you have questions or need more information, call or email KCC’s Office of Financial Aid: 815-802-8550, finaid@kcc.edu

CRRSAA Reporting

Emergency Financial Aid Grants to Students

Quarterly Budget and Expenditure Reporting under CARES Act Sections 18004(a)(1) Institutional Portion, 18004(a)(2), and 18004(a)(3)

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CARES Act Information

COVID-19 Emergency Funding for Students

If you are a KCC student with expenses related to the disruption of campus operations because of COVID-19, you may qualify for federal CARES Act grant assistance.

This grant provides emergency supplemental assistance intended to alleviate the damage, loss, hardship, or suffering caused by the disruption of campus operations due to coronavirus such as food, housing, course materials, technology, health care and child care. To participate, a student must be eligible to participate in programs under Section 484 in Title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965, as amended.

View KCC’s Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund reporting

The application process is currently closed. If you are in need of emergency funding or would like to discuss other options, please contact the KCC Office of Financial Aid.

Eligibility

To confirm you are an eligible student or could be an eligible student to participate in programs under Section 484 in Title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (HEA), as amended, a student must:

  • Be enrolled or accepted for enrollment in a degree, certificate or other recognized educational credential;
  • Not be enrolled in elementary or secondary school;
  • Have a high school diploma or its recognized equivalent;
  • Maintain satisfactory academic progress (SAP);
  • Not owe an overpayment (refund) on Title IV grants;
  • Not be in default on a Title IV loan;
  • Be a U.S citizen or national, a permanent resident, or an eligible noncitizen ;
  • Have returned any fraudulently obtained Title IV funds, if convicted of, or pled guilty/no contest to, charges;
  • Not have fraudulently received Title IV loans in excess of annual or aggregate limits;
  • Have repaid any Title IV loan overpayment amounts in excess of annual or aggregate limits, if obtained inadvertently;
  • If you are male, have registered for Selective Service; and
  • Not have a federal or state conviction for drug possession or sale, with certain time limitations.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does the money need to be repaid?

No, money received through this fund is a grant and does not need to be repaid.

Would this funding reduce my financial aid?

No, this does not reduce your financial aid. Eligibility is not dependent on or associated with any other financial aid awards.

What are the deadlines to apply?

There are no deadlines to apply. Awards will be distributed for those enrolled during semesters of eligibility (Spring 2020 and Summer 2020). If any funds remain, then disbursements may be made to Fall 2020 students.

If I lost my student employment job, can I apply for wages lost?

No, wages lost would not be considered an expense. However, you may apply for the expenses you cannot pay due to wages lost.

Who can I call for more information?

If you have questions or need more information, call or email KCC’s Office of Financial Aid: 815-802-8550, finaid@kcc.edu

Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund Reporting

Emergency Financial Aid Grants to Students

The following information is provided by Kankakee Community College (KCC) as required by the U.S. Department of Education in order to comply with reporting requirement under the CARES Act.

Quarterly Budget and Expenditure Reporting under CARES Act Sections 18004(a)(1) Institutional Portion, 18004(a)(2), and 18004(a)(3)