Oakton Students Eligible for Higher Education Emergency Relief Funding

Oakton College has been awarded Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund (HEERF) grants through the federal CARES Act, CRRSA Act, and the American Rescue Plan to provide economic relief to students who were impacted by and incurred emergency costs due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Oakton signed and returned to the Department of Education the Certification and Agreement and the assurance that the institution will use no less than 50% of the funds received under Section 18004(a)(1) of the CARES Act to provide Emergency Financial Aid Grants to students, as well as future allocations made under the CRRSA Act and the American Rescue Plan.

CARES Act (HEERF I)

  • Oakton received $1,381,420 through the CARES Act to support Emergency Aid Grants to students.
  • Since April 23, 2020, $971,600 in Emergency Financial Aid Grants were distributed to 1,312 students as of March 31, 2021.  The remaining $409,820 was transferred to be used as student emergency grants under the federal guidelines of the CRRSA Act.
  • Oakton currently has approximately 2,600 students eligible to receive Emergency Financial Aid grants under Section 18004(a)(1) of the CARES Act.

CRRSA Act (HEERF II)

  • Oakton subsequently received an additional $1,381,420 under the CRRSA Act to support Emergency Aid Grants to students. Oakton transferred $409,820 from the CARES Act to be used under the federal guidelines of the CRRSA Act, bringing the total emergency grant funding available under HEERF II funds to $1,791,240.
  • Since April 1, 2021, $834,936 in Emergency Financial Aid Grants were distributed to 1,270 students as of June 30, 2021.
  • Since July 1, 2021, $644,304 in Emergency Financial Aid Grants were distributed to 476 students as of September 30, 2021.
  • Since October 1, 2021, $192,600 in Emergency Financial Aid Grants were distributed to 294 students as of December 31, 2021.
  • Since January 1, 2022, $121,500 in Emergency Financial Aid Grants were distributed to 27 students as of March 31, 2022.

American Rescue Plan (HEERF III)

Students can apply for grants electronically. Eligibility requirements and guidelines are also posted online and have been communicated to students by email. Applications are reviewed internally to ensure students meet eligibility requirements.

Applicants must have incurred emergency costs due to coronavirus since the start of the pandemic in March 2020 and applicants who demonstrate financial need will be prioritized.

Qualified expenses include books and supplies, child care, food, health care, housing/rent, transportation, and tuition and fees. Students who are not eligible to receive federal funding will be considered for support from donor resources provided by the Oakton Educational Foundation.

Other criteria that will be considered include financial need as demonstrated on the federal or state financial aid application, enrollment status as of date of application, and the number of applications submitted.

Additional questions can be submitted to financialaid@oakton.edu.