CARES Act: Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund – Student Aid Information

HEERF Disclosure

NLTCC executed and returned to the Department the Certification and Agreement and will use no less than 50 percent of the funds received under Section 18004(a)(1) of the CARES Act to provide Emergency Financial Aid Grants to students.
NLTCC $568,335 from the Department pursuant to NLTCC’s Certification and Agreement [for] Emergency Financial Aid Grants to Students.
NLTCC distributed 100%, or $568,335 , of Emergency Financial Aid Grants to students under Section 18004(a)(1) of the CARES Act no later than 05/15/2020.
725 NLTCC students were deemed eligible to participate in programs under Section 484 in Title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965 and are thus eligible to receive Emergency Financial Aid Grants under Section 18004(a)(1) of the CARES Act.
All 725 NLTCC students will receive $783.91 each in Emergency Financial Aid Grant under Section 18004(a)(1) of the CARES Act.
The method used by NLTCC to determine which students receive Emergency Financial Aid Grants, instructions, directions, and guidance is outlined above in the FAQ.

The CARES Act establishes and funds the Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund (HEERF). Sections 18004(a)(1) and 18004(c) of the CARES Act, which address the HEERF, allow institutions of higher education to use up to 50 percent of the funds they receive to cover any costs associated with significant changes to the delivery of instruction due to the coronavirus so long as such costs do not include payment to contractors for the provision of pre-enrollment recruitment activities, including marketing and advertising; endowments; or capital outlays associated with facilities related to athletics, sectarian instruction, or religious worship (collectively referred to as “Recipient’s Institutional Costs”)

Higher Education Emergency Relief Funds (HEERF) Grant

The Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act (CRRSAA) signed into law on December 27, 2020, gave the U.S. Department of Education funds to distribute to institutions of higher education through the Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund (HEERF II).

To agree to have HEERF II Grant funds pay towards any balance owed or to decline the funds, students must complete the following steps within 2 days of receiving the notification:

1. Log into LoLA

2. Click on the Home tab (or menu option if on a mobile device)

3. Navigate to the “Self Service Banner” section of the page

4. Click on the “Personal Information” link under the appropriate college

5. Click on the Action Items link

6. Based on device type:

a. If using a desktop and laptop computer:

1. On the left side of the screen locate the text “HEERF Grant Action Items” and click on the down arrow to the right of the text

2. Click on the “HEERF Grant Receipt Option – Spring 2021” section that appears below

3. On the right side of the screen read the information and select the desired option

4. Click Save

5. (optional) Complete any other pending Action Item

6. Click on the Home tab to return to the main LoLA page

b. If using a mobile device

1. Click on the “Return to the list” menu at the bottom of the screen

2. Scroll down and click on the down arrow to the right of the text “HEERF Grant Action Items”

3. Click on “Return to the list” again

4. Scroll down and click Spring 2021 HEERF text

5. Read the information that appears, select the desire option, and click Save

6. (optional) Click Return to the list option to complete any other pending Action Items.

7. Click on the main menu icon (upper right corner) and click the Home link to return to the main LoLA screen

Louisiana Community & Technical Colleges have chosen the following eligibility guidelines in determining recipients:

• Students with active enrollment for Spring 2021 as of February 18, 2021

• Students who filed a FAFSA and who were considered eligible for the Federal Pell Grant based on the estimated family contribution,

• Students who are considered an eligible citizen or non-citizen verified through FAFSA completion, and

• Students who are considered degree-seeking.

The following students are excluded from receiving a HEERF Grant:

• Prisoners

• High School/Dual Enrolled

• Adult Basic Education Students

• Non-credit, Non-degree seeking

• Visiting and non-matriculating students

• Cross-enrolled students whose “home institution” is a non-LCTCS College

• Employees of the institutions

In the rare instance where a student is enrolled in two (2) or more LCTCS colleges, the college where the student is taking the most hours during the Spring 2021 semester will award the funds. Such students should not receive more than one (1) payment for the Spring 2021 semester.

The amount each student receives is determined by NLTCC's award amount divided by the total number of qualifying students (first and second 8-week sessions).

Students will receive their grants through their Bank Mobile account.

If you have not previously setup your Bank Mobile Refund Choice you should do so now by:

1. Log into LoLA

2. Click on the Student tab (or menu option if on a mobile device)

3. Locate the “Student Accounts Section” (may need to scroll down if on a mobile device)

4. Click on the “Select Refund Choice” link

5. Follow any additional on-screen instructions that are provided

NLTCC anticipates dispersing Higher Education Emergency Refief Funds (HEERF) starting the week of April 5, 2021. This is dependent on the college having first received its allocation from the Federal Government.

No. These are emergency grant funds and do not need to be repaid.

Amounts may vary by institution based on eligibility criteria listed above. We are currently determining what that amount will be.

Please use the following e-mail addresses to correspond with your home campus should you need additional information.

Shreveport Campus: SuccessShreveport@nltcc.edu

Minden Campus: SuccessMinden@nltcc.edu

Mansfield Campus SuccessMansfield@nltcc.edu

Every college received a different amount of funds from the United States Department of Education. Because each college had a different amount of money and a different number of eligible students, grant amounts will vary by college.

CARES Act: Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund – Student Aid Information

The United States Department of Education’s guidelines state that students must meet requirements as outlined in Section 484 of the Higher Education Act. So, to receive these grant funds students must:

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 while receiving Title IV aid, with certain time limitation

Each eligible NLTCC student will receive $783.91

Every college received a different amount of funds from the United States Department of Education. Because each college had a different amount of money and a different number of eligible students, grant amounts will vary by college.

Students will receive their grants through their Bank Mobile account.

At this time, we anticipate sending grants out by May 15, 2020.

No. These are emergency grant funds and do not have to be repaid.

There are no specific restrictions on how you should use your funds. However, students are encouraged to use the funds to help them to continue attending college. That might mean buying a computer or internet service so you can attend online classes, for example.

No, only students who were enrolled in courses between March 1-31, 2020 are eligible because that is the time period in which campus disruptions occurred.

No, only students who had demonstrated Title IV eligibility by submitting a FAFSA by the day a national emergency was declared (March 13, 2020) are eligible.

According to the United States Department of Education, the funds are for expenses related to the disruption of campus operations due to coronavirus, and students who were enrolled exclusively online would not have expenses related to the disruption of campus operations.