The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act was passed to provide economic relief from COVID-19. One section of the CARES Act established the Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund (HEERF). It provides emergency financial aid grants to students for expenses related to campus disruptions caused by the coronavirus. Eligible expenses include food, housing (such as moving off-campus when dorms closed), course materials, technology, health care, childcare, and more.

18004(A) (1)-Student Portion

Lake Region State College CARES Act Distribution Final Report August 20, 2020
Lake Region State College CARES Act Distribution Report July 20, 2020
Lake Region State College CARES Act Distribution Report July 13, 2020
Lake Region State College CARES Act Distribution Report May 2020

18004(A) (1,2,3)-Institutional Portion

Lake Region State College Quarter 1 Report September 30, 2020
Lake Region State College Quarter 2 Final Report December 31, 2020

U.S. Department of Education CARES Act Guidance

Only students eligible for Section 484 programs under Title IV of the Higher Education Act (HEA) may receive emergency grants. The Department of Education clarified eligibility rules for CARES Act grants. Students enrolled exclusively in online programs on March 13, 2020, are not eligible for CARES Act grants. This date was the President's "National Emergency" Proclamation.

Who is eligible for the CARES Act Student Grant?

This grant may be available to students who completed the FAFSA and were enrolled at LRSC after March 13, 2020. The student must have experienced additional expenses due to the disruption of campus services because of COVID-19.  Eligible expenses including food, housing (having to move off-campus when dorms closed), course materials, technology, health care, childcare, and more.

After Spring 2020 ends, students must register for Summer or Fall to be eligible for a CARES Act Grant. Students in programs approved as fully online by HLC are not eligible if enrolled 100% online.

How to Apply for the CARES Act Grant?

To apply for the CARES Act Student Grant through LRSC, students must have completed an online application. The application deadline has now closed.

Awarding and Disbursement Process

• Eligible students will complete the CARES Act Grant Funding for Student Request Form.
• LRSC will review applications as they are submitted and will disburse funds to eligible students on a rolling basis. Funds will be disbursed to students via Direct Deposit or by check mailed to the home address in Campus Connection.
• Grant requests for expenses of $500 or less will not require documentation.
• Grant requests for expenses of over $500 will require the student to complete the application and provide documentation of the expense.  An example:  Student purchases a computer for $800.  The student could provide a receipt or estimate from the vendor as documentation.
• Funding not requested by the end of spring 2020 will be disbursed to students with 2019-2020 EFCs below 5577.  (Pell Grant Eligible)
• Emergency funding may be available for summer and fall if the student was enrolled in Spring 2020 and the upcoming semester.
• The financial aid office, with input from the Directors of TRIO, Housing, Counseling, and Financial Aid, will approve aid applications.
• The grant would be entered on Campus Connection Award Entry, but will not affect the current financial aid. The item type will bypass the student's institutional account. A check will be mailed or the funds Direct Deposited to their bank account.