CJC CARES Act Grant

The CARES Act Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund provides federal emergency grants to help students cover some of the costs of transition from in-person to online learning.  The following information provides questions and answers about the awarding process for CJC students and the expenditure reporting of the student and institutional awards.

The quarterly Higher Education Emergency Relied Fund Reporting are listed below:

Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund Reporting December 31, 2021 (pdf)

Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund Reporting October 30, 2021 (pdf)

Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund Reporting December 31, 2020 (pdf)

Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund Reporting September 30, 2020 (pdf)

 

Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund Reporting July 15, 2020

1. On April 21, 2020, the California Jazz Conservatory signed and returned to the Department the Recipient’s Funding Certification and Agreement (for) Emergency Financial Aid Grants to Students required to receive funds allocated under Section 18004(a)(1) of the CARES Act. CJC intends to use no less than 50 percent of the total funds received to provide emergency financial aid grants to students.
2. The total amount of funds that CJC has received from the Department pursuant to the institution’s Certification and Agreement specifically for emergency financial aid grants to students is $19,284.
3. The total amount of emergency financial aid grants distributed to students under Section 18004(a)(1) of the CARES Act as of the date of this Fund Report is $19,284.
4. The estimated total number of students at the institution eligible to participate in programs under Section 484 in Title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965, and thus potentially qualified to receive emergency financial aid grants under Section 18004(a)(1) of the CARES Act, as of the date of this Fund Report is 22.
5. The total number of students who have received an emergency financial aid grant under Section 18004(a)(1) of the CARES Act as of the date of this final fund report is 14 students with the total expenditure of $19,284.

Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund Reporting May 4, 2020

1. On April 21, 2020, the California Jazz Conservatory signed and returned to the Department the Recipient’s Funding Certification and Agreement (for) Emergency Financial Aid Grants to Students required to receive funds allocated under Section 18004(a)(1) of the CARES Act. CJC intends to use no less than 50 percent of the total funds received to provide emergency financial aid grants to students.
2. The total amount of funds that CJC has received from the Department pursuant to the institution’s Certification and Agreement specifically for emergency financial aid grants to students is $19,284.
3. The total amount of emergency financial aid grants distributed to students under Section 18004(a)(1) of the CARES Act as of the date of this Fund Report is $19,284.
4. The estimated total number of students at the institution eligible to participate in programs under Section 484 in Title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965, and thus potentially qualified to receive emergency financial aid grants under Section 18004(a)(1) of the CARES Act, as of the date of this Fund Report is 22.
5. The total number of students who have received an emergency financial aid grant under Section 18004(a)(1) of the CARES Act as of the date of this Fund Report is 14.

What is the CARES Act Grant?
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 (HEERF) and provided money to schools to use for emergency financial aid grants to students for expenses related to the pandemic.

California Jazz Conservatory was allocated $38,567, with 50%, $19,284 going to emergency grants for eligible students experiencing financial hardship due to the COVID-19 pandemic. These are one-time grants from the federal government and do not require any repayment. The CARES Act grant provides temporary, short-term, emergency financial assistance to eligible students who are experiencing an unforeseen hardship that could adversely affect their educational success. The main criteria for a grant are the demonstration of a genuine need and that the capacity for continued study may be in jeopardy due to financial hardship.

When will CARES/Higher Education Emergency Relief Funds be available?
California Jazz Conservatory’s allocation from the federal CARES Act is in process and once we receive that funding from the U.S. Department of Education, we will be able to rapidly start distributing grants to eligible students based on their financial need and FAFSA filing date. We anticipate the grants will be disbursed in mid-May. Recipients will be notified via email and a check will be mailed.

Who is eligible for the CARES/Higher Education Emergency Relief Funds?
All currently enrolled (spring semester 2020) California Jazz Conservatory undergraduate, students who are eligible to receive federal financial aid as of March 13, 2020, may be considered for emergency grants funded by HEERF. Even if students have current financial holds or owe tuition fees or fines, they are still eligible for this program and the funds will go directly to students. Any debts or fees owed to the CJC will not be deducted from the emergency grant.

Minimum eligibility criteria for students:

• Filed a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form for 2019-20
• Are currently enrolled during Spring 2020 in the undergraduate program,
• Are part-time or full-time students
• Are U.S. citizens or permanent residents
• Experiencing unexpected financial hardship from COVID-19

Students who meet basic eligibility criteria for federal financial aid and who have the greatest financial need can be considered for these funds. The Financial Aid Office will use Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) data to determine students’ eligibility.

Unfortunately, the U.S. Department of Education does not allow these funds to be used for international students, undocumented students, non-matriculated students.

The CARES emergency grants are designed to support student expenses related to the COVID-19 pandemic. These expenses might include, housing, utilities, loss of job, technology for distance learning, or other COVID-19 expenses. Grants will be disbursed to student by check.

How will CARES/HEERF grant amounts be determined at California Jazz Conservatory?
The CJC has received a limited amount of funding for students from the CARES/HEERF grant.  This fund is to be distributed to students who have faced financial hardships due to the COVID-19 pandemic.  The CARES Grant Application provides students the opportunity to list an amount of their expenses related to the COVID-19 pandemic, beginning date of March 17^th .  Funds for students who returned the application will be determined by a weighted calculation.

The CARES Grant Application was available on May 4. An email was sent to all eligible Title IV applicants who filed the 2019-2020 FAFSA application. The CARES Act grant application must be completed by May 11, 2020, by 10:00.

What if I did not file the 2019-20 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)?
Due to the limited amount of CARES Act funds received by May 4^th, we will provide an application to current recipients of Title IV funding.  At a later date, DOE may provide CJC with additional funds from the CARES Act grant.  If a second round of funding is available, we will notify students by email.  To determine your eligibility to receive a CARES Act emergency grant, you must file the 2019-20 FAFSA at studentaid.gov by no later than June 1, 2020. Once your FAFSA is processed by Federal Student Aid, your information is sent to California Jazz Conservatory within 10 days. We will use the information to determine your eligibility for receiving Title IV financial aid. You will also be required to complete the CARES Grant Application, which can be requested from the Financial Aid Office.  If granted by DOE, additional funds designated for students, we will announce the availability of CARES Grant Application.

 

When will students receive the initial CARES Act grants?
Students who have received a CARES Act grant will be mailed a check on Monday, May 18^th, 2020

 

How can I apply for an emergency grant?
If you received an email from Jesse Rimler dated May 4^th,  you may apply for a CARES Act Grant.  IF in the near future, a second allocation designated for students is awarded to CJC, all students will be contacted to apply.

If you have not yet filed a 2019-20 FAFSA, go to studentaid.gov to complete one. You must complete the 2019-20 FAFSA by June 1, 2020. Once completed and received by CJC, which takes 7 to 10 days, you can complete the CARES Act Emergency Grant Application. Please contact the Financial Aid Office for an application.

 

Is there a deadline to apply for an emergency grant?
The deadline to submit a CARES Grant Application is May 11th, 2020, by 10:00am.

 

If I am graduating in spring 2020, am I eligible for an emergency grant?
Yes, graduating students who are enrolled in spring 2020 and meet eligibility criteria can receive emergency grant funds.

 

If I am an incoming student, can I apply for an emergency grant?
Based on direction from the U.S. Department of Education, the CARES Act grant may only be awarded to students enrolled at CJC in spring 2020.

 

If I am an international student, am I eligible for an emergency grant?
Based on direction from the U.S. Department of Education, the CARES grant may not be given to international students.

 

If I am an DACA/AB540 student, am I eligible for an emergency grant?
Based on direction from the U.S. Department of Education, the CARES Act Emergency Grant may not be given to undocumented students.

 

Who can I talk to if I have questions about my emergency grant?
You may contact Karen Shepherd in the Financial Aid Office at karen@cjc.edu or 510-845-5373 ext. 17.

 

Will I be taxed for receiving an emergency grant?
No. Your grant is not subject to taxation.

Emergency financial aid grants under the CARES Act for unexpected expenses, unmet financial need, or expenses related to the disruption of campus operations on account of the COVID-19 pandemic, such as unexpected expenses for food, housing, technology, health care, are qualified disaster relief payments under section 139 of the Internal Revenue Code.