Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund (HEERF) Student Grants
Mount Wachusett Community College (MWCC) has been provided funding from the federal government in the form of HEERF student grant funds through the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act ($1,277,374), and the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriation Act (CRRSAA) ($1,277,374). These funds are to be used to provide emergency aid to students during the state of emergency for expenses related to the disruption of campus operations. To provide these grants promptly and efficiently, the majority of the funds were distributed as block grants of a fixed amount to all eligible, certifying students. The remaining funds are to be distributed through an individual application process. The fixed amount awarded is $500 per student, per term. The maximum amount any student may receive is $6,195. Eligible students are notified of their potential grant, and then must complete an online form certifying their eligibility and need. Once the student has completed the certification, the block grant is awarded and distributed. Please see below details by term, all data is as of 06/30/2021.
Spring 2020: Students must have been enrolled at the college on March 13, 2020, participating in face to face classes and eligible to apply for Title IV funding. Dual enrollment and second chance Pell programs are considered ineligible.
Students eligible 2,367, students certified 1,555, total awarded $777,500
Fall 2020: Students enrolled in (6) or more credits are eligible. Students not eligible to apply for Title IV funding are now eligible for this funding. Dual enrollment and 2nd chance Pell programs are considered ineligible.
Students eligible 2,377, students certified 1,381, total awarded $690,500
Spring 2021: Students enrolled in more than (3) credits are eligible. Students not eligible to apply for Title IV funding are now eligible for this funding. Dual enrollment and 2nd chance Pell programs are considered ineligible.
Students eligible 2,172, students certified 1,299, total awarded $649,500
Non-Credit Grants: As non-credit students became eligible for support, a program was put in place for these students. Students enrolled Fall 2020 and Spring 2021 were eligible for the fixed amount of $500. The program is still underway.
Students eligible 371, students certified 166, total awarded $83,000, to date
Additional program for Healthcare Students: Students whose program was disrupted by the lack of clinical sites were provided assistance with living expenses over the program delayed time period, an average of (4) months, for a fixed amount of $2,000.
Students eligible 148, students certified 145, total awarded $290,000
Emergency Grants: Students can also apply for support, the amount of which is to be determined on a case by case basis through an individual application process to those students who are able to demonstrate additional need. Application for Emergency Assistance Grants.
Students applied 10, total awarded $15,252.75
Detailed information on the HEERF programs can be found here.
In addition, Mount Wachusett Community College (MWCC) has been provided funding from the federal government in the form of HEERF student grant funds through the American Rescue Plan (ARPA) ($4,873,054). These funds are to be used to provide emergency aid to students during the state of emergency for expenses related to the disruption of campus operations. To provide these grants promptly and efficiently, funds were distributed as block grants of a fixed amount to all eligible students. The maximum amount any student may receive is $6,895. Eligible students are notified of their potential grant, and may need to complete an online form certifying their eligibility and need. Once the student has completed the certification, the block grant is awarded and distributed. Please see below details by term for the period 7/1/2021 – 3/30/2022.
Fall 2021: Students enrolled in (6) or more credits are eligible. Students not eligible to apply for Title IV funding are now eligible for this funding. Block grants were issued in the amount of $750 for Pell-eligible students and $500 for non-Pell-eligible students.
Students eligible 2,315, students certified 1,627, total awarded $1,058,750
Non-Credit Grants: As non-credit students became eligible for support, a program was put in place for these students. Students enrolled Fall 2020 through Spring 2022, were eligible for the fixed amount of $500. The program is still underway.
Students eligible 371, students certified 166, total awarded in FY22 $22,500, to date
Additional program for Healthcare Students: Students whose program was disrupted by the lack of clinical sites were provided assistance with living expenses over the program delayed time period, an average of (4) months, for a fixed amount of $2,000.
Students eligible 148, students certified 146, total awarded in FY22 $2,000
Spring 2022: Student enrolled in (4) or more credits are eligible. Block grants were issued in the amount of $1,250 for Pell-eligible students and $1,000 for non-Pell-eligible students.
Students eligible 1,866, students certified 1,355, total awarded $1,557,500
Fall 2022: Students enrolled in (6) or more credits are eligible. Block grants were issued in the amount of $1,600 for Pell-eligible students and $1,350 for non-Pell-eligible students.
Students eligible 2,162, students certified 1,484, total awarded $2,209,650
Spring 2023: Students enrolled in (3) or more credits and have Gross Need (COA-EFC) of at least $2,000 are eligible. Block grants were issued in the amount of $550 for Pell-eligible students and $340 for non-Pell-eligible students who have at least $2,000 in gross need.
Students eligible 1,127, students certified 1,126, total awarded $556,300
