AMERICAN RESCUE PLAN (ARP) (HEERF III) (CVD22)
The Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund III (HEERF III) is authorized by the American Rescue Plan (ARP), Public Law 117-2, signed into law on March 11, 2021, providing $39.6 billion in support to institutions of higher education to serve students and ensure learning continues during the COVID-19 pandemic. ARP funds are in addition to funds authorized by the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2021 (CRRSAA), Public Law 116-260 and the Coronavirus Aid, Recovery, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, Public Law 116-136. Emergency funds available to institutions and their students under all emergency funds total $76.2 billion.Phase 6 (Beginning Spring 2022)
Morton College received $5,233,501.63 from CRRSAA. These funds are intended to assist students with expenses for any component of the student’s cost of attendance or for emergency costs that arise due to coronavirus, such as tuition, food, housing, health care (including mental health care) or childcare. All awards must adhere to federal statutory and regulatory requirements. Morton College designated CVD22 Grant as the name of the grant for this year’s emergency funding.
The allocation of CRRSAA funds will be disbursed over the 2021/2022 award year (Fall 2021 and Spring 2022). Awards will be made available to all students enrolled and attending allowable credit courses. The amount of each award will be determine based on the following:
1. Number of enrolled students.
2. The amount of funds remaining after each term.
3. The number of students who have exceptional need.
4. The student’s enrollment status.
Students who are enrolled full-time will have a higher award amount than a student who is enrolled in less than half-time unless the student demonstrates exceptional need. The below table indicates the award amounts determined. Term |
Full-Time (12 Credit Hours) |
Three Quarter Time (9 – 11 Credit Hours) |
Half-Time (6 – 8 Credit Hours) |
Less Than Half Time (5 Credit Hours or Less) |
FA21 |
$1,221 |
$983 |
$422 |
$371 |
SP22 |
$1,600 |
$1,200 |
$800 |
$400 |
The law requires students with exceptional need to be considered a priority when making awards as their needs are greater. Morton College has defined these students as those who have a zero ($0) Estimated Family Contribution or EFC as determined by the 2021/2022 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Students who qualify will receive an additional award ranging from $300 to $380 for the spring 2022 term by April 1. No additional certification or steps are required for this payment. Please note: This amount will vary each semester based on funds remaining. You must accept the first COVID disbursement for spring 2022 first before these funds will unlock. Students who are not able to complete the FAFSA process will not be eligible for this portion of funding.
How to Claim Funds
To claim the COVID Emergency Grant you must “Accept” the award through the Panther Portal and Financial Aid Self-Service. Failure to claim your award by April 15, 2022 (Spring 2022) will forfeit your grant and your grant will be reallocated to other eligible students.
To view a video of how to claim your grant click here. To download directions, click here. Written directions are also available below.
1. Log into your Panther Portal and go to your Student Panther Portal.
2. Click on “Financial Aid- Am I Complete” under “Financial Aid” tab.
3. Now you are in your Financial aid information page. All your financial aid information is shown here. To view your awards, scroll down and click on “Review and accept your Financial Aid Award Package.”
4. Here you can view your awards. To accept or decline awards, click on the” Accept/ Decline” in the corresponding award.
5. Now click on the award decision you would like to change the status of it.
Distribution of Funds
If you complete the certification process funds will be distributed in the following manner:
Students who have their direct deposit information on file will be paid electronically to their financial institution. This is the preferred method and quickest method to receive your refund. Students can set up direct deposit through the Panther Portal.
Disbursements will become available no later than 7 to 10 business days after receipt of certification. Checks will be mailed to all students who do not have direct deposit. There could be a delay of 2 to 3 weeks before receiving the actual check. Checks are not available for in person pickup. We highly recommend utilizing direct deposit.
Students with an Outstanding Balance
Students who wish to have the grant applied to their outstanding balance, must submit a request to the Cashier’s Office at Morton College. Morton College must have your consent for the grant to be applied to an outstanding balance. The affidavit must be submitted to the Cashier’s Office before accepting your award through financial aid self-service.
Information, processes, or award amounts are subject to change as The Department of Education continues to review and release guidance. Please visit this page for all updates and the latest information regarding the distribution of these funds.
Please do not send inquires to the financial aid COVID email address as this will prolong processing time for certifications. Monitor you Morton College email address and Financial Aid Self-Service to see if your award has been processed.
Phase 5 (Beginning Fall 2021)
Morton College received $5,233,501.63 from CRRSAA. These funds are intended to assist students with expenses for any component of the student’s cost of attendance or for emergency costs that arise due to coronavirus, such as tuition, food, housing, health care (including mental health care) or childcare. All awards must adhere to federal statutory and regulatory requirements. Morton College designated CVD22 Grant as the name of the grant for this year’s emergency funding. The allocation of CRRSAA funds will be disbursed over the 2021/2022 award year (Fall 2021, Spring 2022, Summer 2022). Awards will be made available to all students enrolled and attending credit courses. The amount of each award will be determine based on the following:- Number of enrolled students.
- The amount of funds remaining after each term.
- The number of students who have exceptional need.
- The student’s enrollment status.
Term | Full-Time (12 Credit Hours) |
Three Quarter Time (9 – 11 Credit Hours) |
Half-Time (6 – 8 Credit Hours) |
Less Than Half Time (5 Credit Hours or Less) |
FA21 | $1,221 | $983 | $422 | $371 |
SP22 | ||||
SU22 |
How to Claim Funds
To claim the COVID Emergency Grant you must “Accept” the award through the Panther Portal and Financial Aid Self-Service. Failure to claim your award by November 15, 2021 (Fall 2021) will forfeit your grant and your grant will be reallocated to other eligible students. To view a video of how to claim your grant click here. To download directions, click here. Written directions are also available below.- Log into your Panther Portal and go to your Student Panther Portal.
- Click on “Financial Aid- Am I Complete” under “Financial Aid” tab.
- Now you are in your Financial aid information page. All your financial aid information is shown here. To view your awards, scroll down and click on “Review and accept your Financial Aid Award Package.”
- Here you can view your awards. To accept or decline awards, click on the” Accept/ Decline” in the corresponding award.
- Now click on the award decision you would like to change the status of it.
Distribution of Funds
If you complete the certification process funds will be distributed in the following manner: Students who have their direct deposit information on file will be paid electronically to their financial institution. This is the preferred method and quickest method to receive your refund. Students can set up direct deposit through the Panther Portal. Disbursements will become available no later than 7 to 10 business days after receipt of certification. Checks will be mailed to all students who do not have direct deposit. There could be a delay of 2 to 3 weeks before receiving the actual check. Checks are not available for in person pickup. We highly recommend utilizing direct deposit.Students with an Outstanding Balance
Students who wish to have the grant applied to their outstanding balance, must submit a request to the Cashier’s Office at Morton College. Morton College must have your consent for the grant to be applied to an outstanding balance. The affidavit must be submitted to the Cashier’s Office before accepting your award through financial aid self-service. Information, processes, or award amounts are subject to change as The Department of Education continues to review and release guidance. Please visit this page for all updates and the latest information regarding the distribution of these funds. Please do not send inquires to the financial aid COVID email address as this will prolong processing time for certifications. Monitor you Morton College email address and Financial Aid Self-Service to see if your award has been processed.Funds from the CRRSAA are intended to assist students with expenses for any component of the student’s cost of attendance or for emergency costs that arise due to coronavirus, such as tuition, food, housing, health care (including mental health care) or childcare. All awards must adhere to federal statutory and regulatory requirements. Morton College designated CVD21 Grant as the name of the grant for this year’s emergency grants.
- Complete a 2020-2021 FAFSA at www.fafsa.ed.gov
- Meet all Financial Aid Requirements including:
- Be a U.S. citizen or national, permanent resident or other eligible noncitizen.
- Have a valid Social Security Number.
- Be registered with Selective Service if you are male over the age of 17.
- Be enrolled in an eligible degree or certificate program.
- Have a high school diploma or equivalent.
- Making satisfactory academic progress (SAP).
- Not owe an overpayment on Title IV grants or loans.
- Not be in default on a Title IV loan.
- Have returned fraudulently obtained Title IV funds if convicted of or pled guilty or no contest to charges.
- Not have a federal or state conviction for drug possession or sale, with certain time limitations.
- Must have received a spring 2021 disbursement as of March 16, 2021 from one of the below awards:
- Pell.
- Federal Direct Loan.
- Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (SEOG).
- Federal Work Study (FWS).
- Must be enrolled in the spring 2021 after the refund period and actively pursuing your courses.
- Have expenses incurred since December 27, 2020 related to cost of attendance or for emergency costs that arise due to coronavirus, such as tuition, food, housing, health care (including mental health care) or childcare.
- Electronically accept the predefined award by April 16, 2021.
-
How Awards are Distributed
The 2020-21 FAFSA information was used to determine student need. The allocation of funding was based on eligibility for Pell grants, enrollment status and the EFC. MC identified students who qualified for a spring 2021 disbursements as of March 16, 2021 and pre-awarded those students. TIERS Following the guidance from ED we allocated students with the greatest need first; our Zero EFC population. Our second population are the remaining need-based grant students. Our last population would only be eligible for Direct Loans.Tier
EFC
Need
Grant Allocation
1
$0.00
Pell Grant Eligible
60 %
2
$1 to $5711
Pell Grant Eligible
30 %
3
$5712 and Higher
Loan Only/No Grant
1 %
AWARD PER STUDENT
Tier
F/T – 50%
3 /4 – 35%
1 /2 – 10%
LTHT – 5%
1
$ 1,495.66
$ 1,042.85
$ 729.40
$ 452.26
2
$ 1,165.33
$ 943.01
$ 584.46
$ 438.34
3
$ 633.16
$ 316.58
$ 295.48
$ 126.63
- Log into your Panther Portal and go to your Student Panther Portal.
- Click on “Financial Aid- Am I Complete” under “Financial Aid” tab.
- Now you are in your Financial aid information page. All your financial aid information is shown here. To view your awards, scroll down and click on “Review and accept your Financial Aid Award Package.”
- Here you can view all your awards, to accept or decline awards, click on the” Accept/ Decline” in the corresponding award.
- Now click on the award decision you would like to change the status of it.
Funds will be available through the deadline date or until depleted, whichever comes first. Once ALL deadlines have passed any remaining funds will be moved to the Fall 2021 semester for distribution. To apply, click here. Please Note: This application is for students who did not receive a COVID Emergency Grants for spring 2021. If you received a prequalified award for spring 2021 DO NOT submit this request as it may cancel out/reduce your current award.
- Students who have direct deposit information on file will be paid through direct deposit. This is the preferred method and quickest method to receive your refund. Students can set up on direct deposit in their Panther Portal.
- Checks will be mailed to all students who do not have direct deposit. There could be a delay of 2 to 3 weeks before receiving.
- Information, processes, or award amounts are subject to change as ED continues to review and release guidance. Please visit this page https://www.morton.edu/cares-act-heerf/ for all updates and the latest information regarding the distribution of these funds.
Effective Date |
Number of Students |
Disbursed Amount |
Amount Remaining |
4/30/2020 |
- |
- |
$1,266,321.50 |
6/30/2020 |
598 |
$442,887.41 |
$823,434.09 |
9/30/2020 |
1,012 |
$706,643.64 |
$116,790.45 |
12/31/2020 |
1,097 |
$1,262,516.05 |
$3,805.45 |
01/27/2021 |
- |
- |
$3,805.45 + 1,266,322 |
01/30/2021 |
SP20-1025/FA20-314 |
$1,264,770,78 |
$1,267,872.72 |
03/31/2021 |
SP20-1025/FA20-314 |
$1,264,770.78 |
$1,267,872.72 |
05/13/21 |
- |
- |
$1,267,872.72+5,060,309 |
6/30/21 |
1069 |
$1,084,830.35 |
$5243,351.37 |
9/30/21 |
2413 |
$7,585.00 |
$5,235,766.37 |
12/31/21 |
2778 |
$1,858,026.81 |
$3,377,739.56 |
03/31/22 |
2253 |
$405,105.00 |
$- |
6/30/22 |
1898 |
$615,600.00 |
$812,235 |
9/30/22 |
733 |
$230,783.00 |
$581,452.63 |
12/31/22 |
- |
- |
$581,452.63 + $436,517.00 |
12/31/22 |
1710 |
$660,461.98 |
$357,507.65 |
- Complete a 2019-2020 FAFSA at www.fafsa.ed.gov
- Meet all Financial Aid Requirements including:
- Be a U.S. citizen or national, permanent resident or another eligible noncitizen.
- Have a valid Social Security Number.
- Be registered with Selective Service if you are male over the age of 17.
- Be enrolled in an eligible degree or certificate program.
- Have a high school diploma or equivalent.
- Making satisfactory academic progress (SAP).
- Not owe an overpayment on Title IV grants or loans.
- Not be in default on a Title IV loan.
- Have returned fraudulently obtained Title IV funds if convicted of or pled guilty or no contest to charges.
- Not have a federal or state conviction for drug possession or sale, with certain time limitations.
- Must have received or be eligible to receive a spring 2020 disbursement.
- Pell
- Federal Direct Loan
- Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (SEOG)
- Federal Work Study (FWS)
- Must be enrolled in the spring 2021 and actively pursuing your courses.
- Must be enrolled as of March 13, 2021.
- Complete the electronic certification or application by August 1, 2021.
- Students who were enrolled exclusively in an online program prior to and as of March 13. In approving the CARES Act funding, Congress did not feel that the instruction and programming for these students were affected by the COVID-19 outbreak.
- International students and undocumented students, including Dream Act and DACA students. These students are not eligible for federal financial aid programs, including the CARES Act.
- Students who have not established eligibility for federal financial aid by successfully submitting a 2019–20 FAFSA.
Student Category | Total Students | $150,000 | $399,870.57 | $716,450.94 | $1,266,321.50 |
Zero EFC’s | 928 | $772.04 | 57% of Funds | ||
All other EFC's | 575 | $695.42 | 32% of Funds | ||
All Other Students | Phase 2 Allocation will be $695 | 11% of Funds |
Frequently Asked Questions
- MC was awarded $1,266,321.50 to distribute to students who qualify for an emergency grant FOR Phase 1,2 and 3).
- MC was awarded $1,266,322.00 for Phase 4 grants
- Being able to complete a Free Application for Federal Student Aid(FAFSA ®)
- Be a U.S. Citizen or Eligible Non-Residen
- Be enrolled in a financial aid eligible program.
- Not be in default on a student loan
- Not have an overpayment to ED
- Full requirements can be found at https://www.morton.edu/cares-act-heerf/
- Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA).
- Students who were enrolled in only online courses for the spring term.
- Students enrolled in adult education or high-school equivalency courses (Phase 1, 2, 3).
- Students who are enrolled in continuing education or dual credit courses.
- Students who withdrew from ALL enrolled courses before the President declared the pandemic (March 13, 2020).
- If you have not suffered a loss you are not eligible to receive an COVID-19 Emergency Grant. You must indicate the loss on the electronic certification for CARES disbursement.
- Funds from the CRRSAA are intended to assist students with expenses for any component of the student’s cost of attendance or for emergency costs that arise due to coronavirus, such as tuition, food, housing, health care (including mental health care) or childcare. All awards must adhere to federal statutory and regulatory requirements.
- Log into your Panther Portal and go to your Student Panther Portal.
- Click on “Financial Aid- Am I Complete” under “Financial Aid” tab.
- Now you are in your Financial aid information page. All your financial aid information is shown here. To view your awards, scroll down and click on “Review and accept your Financial Aid Award Package.”
- Here you can view all your awards, to accept or decline awards, click on the” Accept/ Decline” in the corresponding award.
- Now click on the award decision you would like to change the status of it.
- Prequalified students have until April 16, 2021.
- All other eligible students can apply from April 12, 2021 to April 23, 2021.