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HEERF II - Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act

Quarterly Budget and Expenditures by Colleges

Cañada College (Jun 30, 2023)  

College of San Mateo (Jun 30, 2023)  

Skyline College (Jun 30, 2023)  

Public Disclosure

The Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund II (HEERF II) is authorized by the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2021 (CRRSAA), Public Law 116-260, signed into law on Dec. 27, 2020. In total, the CRRSAA authorizes $81.88 billion in support for education, in addition to the $30.75 billion expeditiously provided last spring through the Coronavirus Aid, Recovery, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, Public Law 116-136.

The San Mateo County Community College District (Cañada College, College of San Mateo and Skyline College) received $13,361,763 and will allot 54% of the CRRSAA HEERF II funds received for emergency grants to students. Of these funds, between 82-85% will be disbursed in the Spring 2021 semester and 12-15% will be disbursed in the Fall 2021 semester. As needed, additional funds may be reallocated from institutional funds to support emergency grants.

The total amount of HEERF II funds allocated to school from the Department of Education.

  • Cañada College – $2,937,222
  • College of San Mateo – $4,571,602
  • Skyline College – $5,852,939

The total amount of emergency grants distributed to students under the CRRSAA HEERF II as of March 31, 2022.

  • Cañada College – $1,718,850
  • College of San Mateo – $2,554,950
  • Skyline College – $3,263,335

The estimated number of students eligible to participate in the emergency grant program.

  • Cañada College – 2,450
  • College of San Mateo – 3,861
  • Skyline College – 4,109

The total number of students who have received emergency grants under the CRRSAA HEERF II as of March 31, 2022.

  • Cañada College – 1,389
  • College of San Mateo – 1,888
  • Skyline College – 2,502

The method(s) used to determine which students received the emergency grants and how much they received.

Spring 2021 – Initial awarding based on students needing to meet Federal Title IV eligibility (since removed May 17, 2021):

  • Completed a FAFSA for 2020-2021, or,
  • Eligible to complete a FAFSA for 2020-2021
    • Have a valid Social Security Number
    • Have registered with selective service (males only)
    • Have a high school diploma, GED, or equivalent
    • Are a citizen or eligible non-citizen?
    • Registered in spring 2021 at least half-time (6 or more units) on February 8, 2021
    • Still registered in spring 2021 in any number of units at time of awarding
    • Students in programs leading to a degree or certificate

Title IV eligibility requirements removed from awarding criteria per “Eligibility To Receive Emergency Financial Aid Grants to Students Under the Higher Education Emergency Relief Programs” – a Rule by the Education Department May 14, 2021, 86 FR 26608) (final rule).

Students ineligible to receive funds:

  • Dropped all courses prior to February 8, 2021
  • Students enrolled as special admission high school students

Grant Amount:

  • Pell Recipients:
    • $1,650 Full-Time (12+ units)
    • $1,200 Part-Time (6-11.5 units)
  • Non-Pell Recipients:
    • $975 Full-Time (12+ units)
    • $750 Part-Time (6-11.5 units)

Spring 2021 Phases of Awarding through March 31, 2021:

  • Phase 1
    • Pell recipients including homeless, former foster youth, and veterans with self-certification Title IV eligibility if a non-FAFSA filer
  • Phase 2
    • Non-Pell FAFSA filers
    • California College Promise Grant (CCPG) recipients

Spring 2021 Phases of Awarding after May 17, 2021:

  • Phase 1
    • Pell recipients including homeless, former foster youth, and veterans with self-certification Title IV eligibility if a non-FAFSA filer
  • Phase 2
    • Non-Pell FAFSA filers
    • California College Promise Grant (CCPG) recipients
  • Phase 3 – After May 17
    • Students demonstrating financial need based on application type (FAFSA, CADAA or CCPG) and Cost of Attendance or self-certification of COVID-19 financial impact

Fall 2021 Phases of Awarding: 

  • Phase 1 
    • Pell recipients including homeless, former foster youth, and veterans with self-certification Title IV eligibility if a non-FAFSA filer 
  • Phase 2 
    • Non-Pell FAFSA filers 
    • California College Promise Grant (CCPG) recipients 
  • Phase 3 
    • Students demonstrating financial need based on application type (FAFSA, CADAA or CCPG) and Cost of Attendance or self-certification of COVID-19 financial impact 

Students ineligible to receive funds: 

  • Dropped all courses prior to September 7, 2021 
  • Students enrolled as special admission high school students 

Spring 2022 Phases of Awarding: 

  • Phase 1 
    • Pell recipients including homeless, former foster youth, and veterans with self-certification Title IV eligibility if a non-FAFSA filer 
  • Phase 2 
    • Non-Pell FAFSA filers 
    • California College Promise Grant (CCPG) recipients 
  • Phase 3 
    • Students demonstrating financial need based on application type (FAFSA, CADAA or CCPG) and Cost of Attendance or self-certification of COVID-19 financial impact 

Students ineligible to receive funds: 

  • Dropped all courses prior to February 7, 2022 
  • Students enrolled as special admission high school students 

Grant Amount: 

  • Pell Recipients: 
    • $1,650 Full-Time (12+ units) 
    • $1,200 Part-Time (6-11.5 units) 
  • Non-Pell Recipients: 
    • $975 Full-Time (12+ units) 
    • $750 Part-Time (6-11.5 units) 

Undocumented and/or ESL students:

  • Were awarded a $2,250 grant.
    • Students were required to complete a self-certification to determine eligibility (classified as undocumented by Admissions and Records; or, enrolled or completed an ESL course, enrolled in 6 units or less on Sept. 7th, 2021, and impacted by COVID-19).

Note: For students who do not claim their full or partial award, funds will be canceled and re-awarded to another student. However, this is done only after multiple attempts at communicating with the student. One communication includes a 10-day final notice that funds will be canceled if they don’t claim their award refund. For students who only claim a portion of their award, their total award will differ from the amounts listed above.

Any instructions, directions, or guidance provided to students concerning the emergency grants.
All students received a notification when they were awarded HEERF II funds. The notification explained what the money could be used for, refund how to check their award status to determine if the student needs to submit documentation of a COVID-19 financial impact.