CARES Act

May 21, 2020 - Emergency Financial Aid Grants to Students under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act: Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund

Orange County Community College acknowledges that President Kristine Young, as an authorized representative of the institution, has signed and returned to the US Department of Education the Certification and Agreement. The institution has used, or intends to use, no less than 50 percent of the funds received under Section 18004(a)(1) of the CARES Act to provide Emergency Financial Aid Grants to students.

Through a formula contained within the legislation, SUNY Orange was awarded $1,702,698.00 to be dispensed for student emergency needs caused by COVID 19 during the period of 04/25/2020 - 04/24/2021.

Orange County Community College has determined 4,047 students at the institution are eligible to participate in programs under Section 484 in Title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965 and thus eligible to receive Emergency Financial Aid Grants to students under Section 18004(a)(1) of the CARES Act.

In a written plan submitted to SUNY Administration on May 11, 2020, the College prioritized awarding of Emergency Financial Aid Grants to its students considering both Pell eligibility and Spring 2020 credit registration. Under Section 18004(a)(1) of the CARES Act, students will receive awards ranging from $112.09 to $596.31. The communication and distribution of the award amount will be on a first come, first served basis, but all eligible Spring 2020 students are budgeted to receive a share.

Pending approval from SUNY, the College will solicit requests from Spring registrants for financial relief. Each applicant would be asked to attest that they have incurred allowable expenses of food, housing, course materials, technology, health care, childcare, and/or transportation as a result of the disruption of campus operations due to coronavirus.