Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act (CRRSAA) – Student Relief Grant
Students who have been adversely impacted financially by the coronavirus pandemic, may be eligible for funds granted to institutions of higher education through the Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund II established by the CRRSAA Act. Emergency grants may be used for any component of cost of attendance or for emergency costs that arise due to coronavirus, such as tuition, food, housing, health care (including mental health care) or child-care.
All students* with financial concerns are encouraged to complete an application. Applications will be prioritized based on “exceptional need”. A student with exceptional need must meet one or more of the following:
- Recipient of Federal Pell Grant for the 2020-2021 academic year
- Dependent student whose guardian, or guardians, had a significant income change due to a layoff, business closure, or has been forced to reduce hours due to coronavirus
- Independent student who had a significant income change due to a layoff, business closure, or has been forced to reduce hours due to coronavirus
- Student whose spring balance is considered past due and has spoken previously with SFS about current financial concerns
*Unfortunately, international students do not qualify for this federal program.
All funds have been spent at this time.
Student Email Communication
Subject: An Important Message Concerning Financial Relief Option
Dear Thomas College Students,
As we continue to work to keep our Thomas College community safe and on-campus, I am excited to share with you a new program that Thomas College is able to offer our current students to assist with the financial ramifications brought on by the Coronavirus pandemic.
Students who have been adversely impacted financially and incurred additional expenses due to the coronavirus pandemic, may be eligible for funds granted to institutions of higher education through the second Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund (HEERF II) established by the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act (CRRSAA). In order to meet the requirement to “promptly and to the greatest extent practicable” release these funds to students, Thomas College is pleased to share the following information with you.
The vast majority of Thomas students are eligible. Those interested will need to complete an application. Examples of eligible expenses are tuition, housing (rent or utilities), transportation, basic needs (groceries), child-care expenses, additional health care expenses (including mental health care), and access to required resources for remote learning. Applications will be available through the public financial aid page Financial Aid – Thomas College.
Priority will be given to students with “exceptional need”. Exceptional need is defined as one, or more, of the following:
- A student who receives Federal Pell grant
- A dependent student whose guardian(s) has lost income due to a coronavirus related layoff or reduction in hours
- An independent student who has lost income due to a coronavirus related layoff or reduction in hours
- Student who has a past due spring balance at Thomas College and has spoken with Student Financial Services about their concerns.
Additionally, a students’ need, as determined by the FAFSA, may be considered when issuing funds along with the written explanation of need provided on the application. However, you do not have to file the FAFSA to be eligible for funding. International students, unfortunately, do not qualify for this federal relief program.
Under HEERF II guidance, Thomas College may now apply these funds to student billing accounts. This will result in students having the option to credit their spring tuition statement or having the funds issued directly to the student. If you choose to have these funds issued via check, please ensure your address is updated in myThomas so funds may reach you quickly. Applications will be funded until federal funds have been spent in-full.
Finally, Thomas College will automatically be issuing assistance, through this program, to resident students who were asked to quarantine off campus for a period of time during the spring term. If you do not complete an application for additional assistance the Student Financial Services office will be reaching out to you directly for your preference of funds receipt as outlined above.
I wish you all a safe, healthy, and successful end to the spring term!
Warmest regards,
Jeannine Ross
Senior Director of Student Financial Services
Frequently Asked Questions:
Students can apply for funds by completing an application here
- Students who are currently enrolled in a degree program for Spring 2021
- Students who are U.S. citizen, permanent resident, or other eligible non-citizen
Yes! This is a new fund to assist students.
No, you do not need to complete an application, however if you have additional needs it is encouraged.
Funds will be disbursed to you based on your response in the application. Options are applied to your student account, having a check mailed, or picking up a check in Student Financial Services. Paper checks will be available on Thursdays after 2 p.m.
Thomas College has capped the grant at $1,000 per student in order to assist as many students as possible.
No. Funds through this program are considered a grant and will not need to be paid back. They may be reported on your 2021 1098-T for tax filing purposes.
