CARES Act / HEERF Emergency Grants

The federal Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund (HEERF) Act includes funds for students to help with immediate needs related to the ongoing COVID-19 health crisis. 

Ventura College is distributing HEERF grants to eligible students who have experienced an array of hardships due to the COVID-19 pandemic. These funds can help cover expenses such as transition to distance education, housing, food, daycare, basic needs, technology, health care, and school supplies. We know our students are working hard to juggle everything right now and these funds represent our steadfast faith in their abilities. We want for each of our students to achieve their educational goals and hope these grants will help. 

Ventura College has been allocated over $35,261,612 in funding and has certified with the U.S. Department of Education that at least $13,978,633 will go directly to students.  $21,281,979 was designated by the Department of Education for institutional costs associated with significant changes to the delivery of instruction due to Covid-19. Ventura College will also contribute a portion of the institutional and minority serving awards towards direct student aid.

Thousands of students will be eligible to receive a grant. We have awarded more than 10,212 students so far and anticipate more than 10,000 students will receive funding.

When enrolling at Ventura College, we encourage all students to fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or California Dream Act Application (CADAA).  Students need to be enrolled with a minimum of 6 units, and those in need will qualify first for $500 (Fall 2022 and Spring 2023)*

*Criteria may be subject to change. 

Funds are limited and students will be awarded HEERF grants as long as funds remain available.  

HEERF grants will be disbursed as quickly as possible in order to provide students with the support they need to continue their educational pursuits. Once invited & processed, students are notified by email at the my.vcccd.edu email account. Please monitor your school email account and portal for important information. 

Funds will be distributed in the following tiers:

• FAFSA and/or CADAA applicants with Pell eligibility (EFC <5711) and enrolled in 6 units or more*
• FAFSA and/or CADAA applicants with EFC >5711 and enrolled in 6 units or more
• All other students who are enrolled in 6 units or more.  Students will receive an email invitation to apply for HEERF funds.

*Students with exceptionally high need (Pell Grant eligible) will receive priority.

Fall 2022 HEERF Grants will be distributed in the following tiers:

• FAFSA and/or CADAA applicants with Pell eligibility (EFC <6206) and enrolled in 6 units or more units*
• FAFSA and/or CADAA applicants with EFC >6206 and enrolled in 6 units or more units

*Students with exceptionally high need (Pell Grant eligible) will receive priority.

As of April 27, 2023, Ventura College has disbursed a grand total of $13,979,383 to 9387 students.

Ventura College's plan for the distribution of CARES Act Emergency Grants:

• Funds will be disbursed as quickly as possible in order to provide students with the support they need to continue their educational pursuits.
• 15% of student allocated funds will be distributed to eligible students enrolled for Summer 2020
• 85% of student allocated funds will be distributed to eligible students enrolled for Fall 2020, Spring 2021 and Summer 2021.
  • During Summer 2020, Ventura College disbursed $344,000 to 344 students.
  • During Fall 2020, Ventura College disbursed $1,876,500 to 2,495 students. 
  • During Spring 2021, Ventura College disbursed $70,269 to 72 students. 
• As of February 9, 2021, Ventura College has disbursed a total of $2,290,769 to 2,911 students.
• In addition, Ventura College certified $150,000 of the Hispanic Serving Institution (HSI) CARES funds will go directly to students.
  • As of May 4, 2021 Ventura College has disbursed $150,000 to 217 students.

The Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act was passed by Congress and signed into law to provide economic relief from COVID-19. One section of the CARES Act established the Higher Education Emergency Relief fund and sent money to schools to use for emergency financial aid grants to students for expenses related to the disruption of campus operations due to the pandemic.

 

How can the VC Cares Act Emergency Grant help me?

VC CARES Act Emergency Grants are intended to assist students with expenses related to the disruption of campus operations due to coronavirus (including eligible expenses under a student’s cost of attendance, such as food, housing, instructional materials, technology, health care, and child care).

 

Ventura College (VC) CARES Act Emergency Grant Guiding Ideals:

• The CARES Act's primary focus is to support students whose lives and educational pathways have been disrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic.
• VC CARES Act Emergency Grants will assist students in continuing their education.
• Students must meet VC CARES Act Emergency Grant requirements, including FAFSA or CADAA completion, Title IV eligibility, and meet Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) standards as established by the VCCCD.

VC CARES Act Emergency Grants are intended to assist students with expenses related to the disruption of campus operations due to coronavirus (including eligible expenses under a student’s cost of attendance, such as food, housing, instructional materials, technology, health care, and child care).

 

Who is eligible for the CARES Act Emergency Grant?

Based on guidelines established by the U.S. Department of Education for disbursement of CARES Act Emergency funds, students must meet basic eligibility criteria for federal financial aid (Title IV Eligibility).  Ventura College will use the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or the California Dream Act Application (CADAA) data to determine eligibility. 

• Complete your FAFSA or CADAA application for the academic year you're enrolled for.
• Complete an Emergency Relief application and electronically submit it to Ventura College Financial Aid Office. 
• You must be enrolled for Summer and/or Fall 2020
• Student enrollment may be a combination of units within the VCCCD.
• Summer 2020 grants will be awarded to eligible students enrolled in at least 6 units.
• Fall 2020 grants will be awarded to eligible students enrolled in at least 6 units.
• Spring 2021 grants will be awarded to eligible students enrolled in at least 12 units. 
• Ventura College must be the student’s Primary College.

The Financial Aid Officer and/or staff will have the discretion to award VC CARES Act  Emergency Grants to students who have received a VC Student Emergency Grant (VCSEG) or other related funding.*

*Students may only be awarded one VC CARES Act Emergency Grant per student.

Are DACA students eligible to apply for VC CARES Act Emergency Grants?

Yes! DACA students who are enrolled and impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic are now eligible to apply.

 

Are international students eligible to apply for VC CARES Act Emergency Grants?

No. Unfortunately international students are not eligible for VC CARES Act Emergency grants.   For information about other services that may be available to international students, please contact Ellie Yoo, International Student Services Specialist, at jyoo@vcccd.edu or (805) 289-6182.

At Ventura College, the VC CARES Act Emergency Grants is a one-time payment per eligible student. The VC CARES Act Emergency Grant program has limited funding. Eligible students will be awarded grants based on enrollment as long as funds remain available.

Students enrolled in 12 or more units will be awarded $1000.

After February 1, 2021 students enrolled in 6-11.75 units will be awarded $500 (until Spring allocation is exhausted). 

If you are eligible, you will receive an email with information from the Financial Aid Office. In this email, you will see a short request form to fill out to receive this one time grant opportunity. 

VC CARES Act Emergency Grants are awarded on a first-come, first-serve basis until funding is exhausted.

Funds will be disbursed as quickly as possible in order to provide students with the support they need to continue their educational pursuits.

Ventura College’s Plan for Distribution of VC CARES Act Emergency Grants:

• 15% of student allocated funds will be distributed to eligible students enrolled for Summer 2020.
• 81% of student allocated funds will be distributed to eligible students enrolled for Fall 2020.
• 4% of student allocated funds will be distributed to eligible students enrolled for Spring 2021. 

VC CARES Act Emergency Grant Distribution:

FOR SUMMER 2020:  VC CARES Act Emergency Grants will be awarded to eligible students who are enrolled in at least 6 units by July 10, 2020. Eligible students who are enrolled in less than 6 units will be considered for the grant after July 10, 2020 (if funds have not been exhausted). Eligible students will receive an email/text with information from the Financial Aid Office.

FOR FALL 2020:  VC CARES Act Emergency Grants will be awarded to students who are enrolled in at least 12 units by September 4, 2020. Eligible students who are enrolled in 6-11.75 units will be considered for the grant after September 4, 2020 (if funds have not been exhausted). Eligible students will receive an email/text with information from the Financial Aid Office.

FOR SPRING 2021:  VC CARES Act Emergency Grants will be awarded to students who are enrolled in at least 12 units by February 1, 2021. Eligible students who are enrolled in 6-11.75 units will be considered for the grant after February 1, 2021 (if funds have not been exhausted). Eligible students will receive an email/text with information from the Financial Aid Office.

When will VC CARES Act Emergency Grant funds be available?

Funds will be disbursed as quickly as possible in order to provide students with the support they need to continue their educational pursuits. Ventura College anticipates disbursing funds in the coming weeks.

How will VC CARES Act Emergency Grants be disbursed?

Disbursements will be sent through BankMobile. If you have not set up your disbursement method with BankMobile, your disbursement may be delayed. Please contact the Financial Aid Office at vcfinancialaid@vcccd.edu if you need assistance selecting your disbursement method with BankMobile.

No.  The VC CARES Act Emergency Grant does not affect any financial aid. It is a one-time grant that does not need to be repaid.

Contact the Financial Aid Office at vcfinancialaid@vcccd.edu or (805) 289-6369.