Coronavirus Relief Funds - CRRSAA

Coronavirus Relief Funds - CRRSAA

Jefferson College received $1,305,078 to provide additional emergency financial aid grants to students through the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act (CRRSAA), a Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund for students impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.  Unlike Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act grants, which were limited to students with expenses connected to the disruption of campus operations or a move to online learning, CRRSAA funds were available to support students struggling to cover any component of their educational costs or for emergency expenses that had arisen due to the coronavirus while attending Jefferson College.

Student Eligibility for a CRRSAA Emergency Financial Aid Grant

Degree and certificate-seeking students, as well as non-degree seeking, non-credit, dual enrollment, and continuing education students participating in spring or summer 2021 courses could apply for a CRRSAA emergency financial aid grant.  The student portion of CRRSAA was initially limited to U.S. citizens and eligible non-citizens.  In May 2021, eligibility was expanded to include Jefferson College's international students.  Although recipients need not be Title IV eligible, post-secondary students with exceptional need documented through completion of a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) received priority awarding.  Students were encouraged to contact Jefferson College's Financial Aid Office at 636-481-3212 or finaid@jeffco.edu for FAFSA assistance.

In March 2021, Title IV eligible financial aid applicants with documented unmet costs of attending college or a Pell-eligible income level were targeted to apply for a CRRSAA emergency financial aid grant.  Following this targeted invitation to students with exceptional need, multiple campus announcements, a Learning Management System message, and press release were shared with other degree and certificate-seeking, non-Title IV eligible, non-degree seeking, non-credit, dual enrollment, and continuing education students who might be struggling to pay for Jefferson College services due to the pandemic. 876 spring 2021 students received $1,102,278 in CRRSAA Emergency Financial Aid Grants and 351 summer 2021 students received $202,800 in CRRSAA Emergency Financial Aid Grants.

Process for Requesting a CRRSAA Emergency Financial Aid Grant

Requests were considered on a first-come, first-served basis until funds were depleted.  Submission of an application did not guarantee that a grant was awarded.  Students who had withdrawn from the institution were not eligible.  For consideration, students completed the Coronavirus Relief Grant Application via their Jeffco.edu account identifying their hardship.

CRRSAA Emergency Student Financial Aid Grant funds have been depleted and are no longer available.  The Financial Aid Office will notify students if another round of financial relief becomes available.  American Rescue Plan funds for fall 2021 are coming soon.

Spring 2021 and Summer 2021 CRRSAA Emergency Financial Aid Grant Award Amounts

If approved, the student's grant amount was based on their spring or summer 2021 enrollment level at the time of payment.  For non-degree students, a comparable level of enrollment based on the hours required for their program and the federal definition of a credit hour was determined.  Also, CRRSAA grant recipients with a 2020-2021 FAFSA reflecting a Pell-eligible income level and those graduating from an essential worker degree or certificate program in spring or summer 2021 receive a $200 bonus amount to support their completion.

• $200 for less than half-time (5 or less credit hours)
• $500 for half-time (6-8 credit hours)
• $1000 for 3/4 time (9-11 credit hours)
• $1500 for full-time (12 or more credit hours)

For more information about the Student Portion of CRRSAA, contact Jefferson College's Financial Aid Office at 636-481-3212 or finaid@jeffco.edu.

CRRSAA Institution Funds

Of the $5,214,046 in CRRSAA Act Funds awarded to Jefferson College, $3,908,968 were designated to the Institution.  These funds are 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 recruiting 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”).  In addition to the previously mentioned items CRRSAA funds can be used to replace lost revenue due to reduced enrollment, cancelled events and facility usage, disruption of food service, dorms, and childcare.

Jefferson College is required to report on a quarterly basis our Institutional Fund expenditures by category beginning with the report that is combined with CARES Act funds expended January 1, 2021 through March 31, 2021.  Please see quarterly reports below.