CARES Act Reporting
Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund (HEERF) Student Portion
Maine College of Art & Design accepted online applications for emergency financial assistance grants provided through the federal CARES (Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security) Act through May 11, 2020.
The Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act, which was passed by Congress and signed into law in March, will provide $507,454 to Maine College of Art & Design in higher education emergency relief funding.
By law, half of the funds received by institutions must be distributed directly to students in the form of emergency grants to help cover expenses related to the disruption of campus operations due to coronavirus. This means that $253,727 will be available to qualifying MECA&D students in the form of emergency grants through the Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund (HEERF).
Third Quarter Report:
As of March 31, 2021, 102 MECA&D students have been awarded an Emergency Student Grant funded by the HEERF for a total of $253,727. These funds are the first of three rounds of funding and named HEERF I. These grants were awarded based on an application demonstrating qualifying expenses and eligibility for the Emergency Grant. On February 19th, 2021, MECA&D students were awarded a second round of funding named HEERF II for a total of $253,727. Of the 80 MECA&D students awarded an Emergency Student Grant funded by the HEERF II funds, only 44 were new applicants. These HEERF II funds awarded totaled $120,903. We have issued funding for 146 students to date, which represents 38% of the eligible population.There were 385 students in the 2020/21 academic year who were or could be eligible to participate in the Federal student financial aid programs under Section 484 of the Higher Education Act of 1965, as amended, and thus are eligible to receive Emergency Financial Aid Grants to students under Section 18004(a)(1) of the CARES Act.
Second Quarter Report:
As of December 31, 2020, 95 MECA&D students have been awarded an Emergency Student Grant funded by the HEERF for a total of $236,380. These grants were awarded based on an application demonstrating qualifying expenses and eligibility for the Emergency Grant. There were 385 students in the 2020/21 academic year who were or could be eligible to participate in the Federal student financial aid programs under Section 484 of the Higher Education Act of 1965, as amended, and thus are eligible to receive Emergency Financial Aid Grants to students under Section 18004(a)(1) of the CARES Act. There remains $17,341 in available funds that will be awarded by April 24, 2021.
First Quarter Report:
As of August 31, 2020, 93 MECA&D students have been awarded an Emergency Student Grant funded by the HEERF for a total of $230,250. These grants were awarded based on an application demonstrating qualifying expenses and eligibility for the Emergency Grant. There were 444 students in the 2019/2020 academic year who were or could be eligible to participate in the Federal student financial aid programs under Section 484 of the Higher Education Act of 1965, as amended, and thus are eligible to receive Emergency Financial Aid Grants to students under Section 18004(a)(1) of the CARES Act. There remains $23,471 in available funds that will be awarded by April 24, 2021.
The Department has placed the neediest students as a priority, and the funds are limited to only those students eligible for Title IV funding. To understand Title IV eligibility, click here.
If you are eligible to file a FAFSA but have not yet filed for 2019-20 and need assistance, please file a FAFSA at studentaid.gov.
The CARES Act directed institutions of higher education to prioritize undergraduate and graduate students whose family income is in the low- to low-middle income categories. MECA&D is also prioritizing students who have experienced significant financial hardship in the spring semester due to COVID-19. Given the funding criteria, not every student will receive a grant.
Please complete this application, and provide supporting documentation related to your request. The application deadline is May 11, 2020.
Qualifying expenses can be anything within the meaning of “cost of attendance” as defined in the Higher Education Act, including but not limited to food, housing, course materials, technology, health care, moving, and child care expenses.
If you are not eligible for federal financial aid programs and therefore not eligible for a federal CARES grant, MECA&D may be able to help you with emergency aid from other institutional or private donations. These funds are limited, but we encourage you to contact Director of Financial Aid, Carri Frechette, cfrechette@meca.edu, to make your request.
For more information on the CARES Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund (HEERF) grants, or institutionally funded grants, please contact Director of Financial Aid, Carri Frechette, cfrechette@meca.edu.
Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund (HEERF) Institutional Portion
In accordance with the Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund (HEERF) Reporting Requirements, Section 18004(a)(1) Institutional Portion, (a)(2), and (a)(3) Public Reporting, here is Maine College of Art & Design's Quarterly report through September 30, 2020, here is Maine College of Art & Design's Quarterly report through December 31, 2020, and here is Maine College of Art & Design's Quarterly report through March 31, 2021.