In March 2021, congressional leaders in response to the on-going COIVD-19 pandemic introduced and passed the American Rescue Plan (ARP), Public Law 117-2.  The Act, in part, provides $39.6 billion in funds to institutions of higher education through the United States Department of Education (USDOE), and stipulates these funds must be provided to students as emergency financial aid grants. 

Because Institutions received a different amount of funds from the USDOE, grant amounts will vary by college and student.  Northwest Louisiana Technical Community College (NLTCC) is receiving a total of $2,138,266.25 in student aid funds.

All credit students with active enrollment in terms Summer 2021 (202130), Fall 2021 (202210), and Spring 2022 (202220) (beyond TBD) are eligible to receive funds.

The following students are not eligible to receive the funds:

• Prisoners
• Non-self-pay high school students
• Adult Basic Education Students
• Non-credit, Non-degree seeking/Workforce
• Cross enrolled students whose “home institution” is a non-LCTCS college

In cases where a student is enrolled in two (2) or more LCTCS colleges during the applicable term, the college with the most academic history will award the funds.  Such students should not receive payments from more than one LCTCS institution.

• A sliding scale based on the student’s estimated family contribution (EFC) will allocate the following amounts:
  • 0-5846                                                                                $850
  • 5847-20,000                                                                       $750
  • 20,001-60,000                                                                    $700
  • 60,001-100,000                                                                  $650
  • 100,001-400,000                                                                $600
  • No EFC; FAFSA Y or N                                                      $500

Eligible recipients will also receive additional funds based on the number of credit hours:

•  FALL/SPRING TERMS (202210 & 202220)
  • 1-5 Credit Hours                                                               $100
  • 6-8 Credit Hours                                                               $150
  • 9-11 Credit Hours                                                             $200
  • 12+ Credit Hours                                                              $250

• SUMMER TERMS (202130)
  • 1-5 Credit Hours                                                               $100
  • 6+ Credit Hours                                                                $150

Students with an active Bank Mobile will receive funds through their Bank Mobile account.  All other students will receive funds via check.

Students awarded a HEERF III Grant may use these funds to pay for school or any component of the cost of attendance or for emergency costs that arise due to COVID-19, such as tuition, food, housing, health care (including mental health care), or childcare.

Student will be asked to select one of the following options:

o   Option 1:  I wish to authorize the use of my COVID-19 Stimulus Funds to pay outstanding charges for (INSERT TERM).  Any excess funds will be refunded to me.

o   Option 2:  Decline the use of COVID-19 Stimulus Funds to pay off outstanding balance and instead receive the funds directly.

It is important to note that this emergency financial aid grant does not have to be repaid.

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.

Students awarded a HEERF II Grant may use this award to pay for school or any component of the cost of attendance or for emergency costs that arise due to COVID-19, such as tuition, food, housing, health care (including mental health care), or childcare. It is important to note that this emergency financial aid grant does not have to be repaid. Students may also use the funds towards any unpaid balance at the college.

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.

The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (“Cares Act”) was signed into law by President Trump on March 27, 2020. The Act provides funds to colleges to give to eligible students to assist with costs related to the disruption of campus operations due to coronavirus.The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (“Cares Act”) was signed into law by President Trump on March 27, 2020. The Act provides funds to colleges to give to eligible students to assist with costs related to the disruption of campus operations due to coronavirus.

Students with active enrollment in a Title IV eligible program between March 1-31, 2020, who filed a FAFSA no later than March 13, 2020, and who were eligible to receive Title IV funds within the spring semester, excluding incarcerated individuals; cross-enrolled students whose “home institution” is a non-LCTCS college; and students enrolled only in online courses during March 1-31, 2020.

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.

No. The number of classes or credit hours a student was enrolled in for the spring semester does not in any way affect whether they are eligible for the funds or not.

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

• Shreveport Campus: SuccessShreveport@nwltc.edu

• Minden Campus:  SuccessMinden@nwltc.edu

• Mansfield Campus  SuccessMansfield@nwltc.edu