COVID-19 Emergency Funding - CARES Act
As all funding has been expended, the fall 2020 CARES Act application is now closed.
CARES Act FAQ
The Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Securities Act (CARES Act) is federal legislation providing financial support to individuals and businesses affected by the COVID-19 (novel coronavirus) pandemic. One part of this federal program allocates money to CBC, and a portion of that allocation is to be awarded to students who are experiencing financial hardships due to the coronavirus.
CARES Act recipients must have demonstrated eligibility to participate in programs under Section 484 of the Higher Education Act (HEA), which is determined by the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).
No. Under the CARES Act, funding is disbursed directly to YOU, the student! You'll be responsible for paying your tuition once you receive the funds. It's also important to note that any CARES awards issued to you may not cover your full tuition balance. If you have questions about your payment options, please contact Hawk Central.
Columbia Basin College (CBC) has received funding under the CARES Act to provide Emergency Financial Aid Grants to students. CBC returned the signed Certification and Agreement to the Department and has used no less than 50% of funds received under Section 18004(a)(1) of the CARES Act to provide Emergency Financial Aid Grants to students.
On April 20, 2020, CBC received $1,920,205. CBC allocated 100% of the funding to provide Emergency Financial Aid Grants to students.
As of Monday, August 17, 2020, CBC has awarded $1,532,364.00 in CARES Act Emergency Financial Aid Grants to 1168 students.
An estimated 3,000 CBC students are eligible to participate in programs under Section 484 in Title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965 and are therefore eligible to receive Emergency Financial Aid Grants to students under Section 18004(a)(1) of the CARES Act.
CBC is using a COVID-19 Emergency Relief Fund application to determine which students receive Emergency Financial Aid Grants. The application asks each student to explain how they have been impacted by COVID-19 and their financial need. In an effort to provide assistance to as many students as possible, the award amount is determined by the amount requested by the student in relation to their enrollment level. CBC is using a database to track eligibility, awards, and any duplicate applications.
Students who are awarded are reminded they are receiving funding the CARES Act, and as such, it is intended for: childcare, course materials, food/groceries, housing/rent, medical/healthcare, technology, tuition and fees, and/or utilities. They are encouraged to use the funds accordingly. Awards are distributed via Bank Mobile, and students without an existing Bank Mobile account are advised to check their CBC student email for an email from Bank Mobile with directions to set up their account and choose how they would like to receive their funds. Students who need assistance with this process are encouraged to contact Hawk Central.
