The Federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act has provided institutions of higher education across the country with emergency cash grant funding for students who have been adversely impacted by COVID-19 and related academic disruptions. Following guidelines from the US Department of Education, the Branford Academy Of Hair & Cosmetology LLC, will disburse these cash grants to Branford Academy Of Hair & Cosmetology students who apply for the funds and are deemed eligible.
Deadline for application has passed.
Grant Eligibility Criteria:
- Students must have been enrolled between March 16, 2020 to May 8, 2020.
- Recipients must be eligible for Title IV aid with a 2019-2020 or 2020-2021 FAFSA on file*
- Financially impacted due to disruption of academic operations caused by COVID-19
- Any student who took a LOA specifically due to COVID-19 education interruptions ARE eligible
- Any students who was on a LOA prior to 03/16/2020 and was initially scheduled to return after 06/01/2020 are not eligible.
* Students who do not already have FAFSAs on file must first complete the form online at www.FAFSA.gov and submit all required documents to be eligible for Title IV aid before being considered as an emergency grant recipient.
Examples of Qualifying Financial Impacts Funds are intended to help with academically related expenses such as food, housing, course materials, technology, healthcare, and childcare.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is CARES/HEERF and where did the funding for emergency grants come from?
The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act was passed by Congress and signed into law on March 27, 2020. One aspect of the act was the creation of the Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund (HEERF). HEERF provides funds to institutions for emergency financial aid grants to students whose lives have been disrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic.)
How much HEERF funding did the Branford Academy Of Hair & Cosmetology LLC receive?
Branford Academy Of Hair & Cosmetology has been allocated $35,000 to provide emergency grants to students for expenses related to the disruption of campus operations due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Funds are intended to help with academically related expenses such as food, housing, course materials, technology, healthcare, and childcare. Branford Academy Of Hair & Cosmetology’s allocation was determined by the U.S. Department of Education. The entire 35,000 will be disbursed to Branford Academy Of Hair & Cosmetology students.
Who is eligible for HEERF Emergency Grants?
There are three general eligibility criteria for these funds: 1) students must be currently enrolled in school (students on LOA due to COVID-19 are eligible as long as the LOA didn’t start prior to March 16, 2020; 2) students must be eligible to receive federal financial aid; and 3) Students must be in the Cosmetology or Esthetics program.
How do I know if I am eligible for federal relief funds?
Per the U.S. Department of Education, only students covered under Federal Title IV are eligible for federal relief funds. Students would need to have completed a 19-20 or 20-21 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). If you currently do not receive financial aid to attend Branford Academy Of Hair & Cosmetology, you must complete a FAFSA to see if you are eligible for the relief funds.
How do I apply for COVID-19 federal relief funds?
Branford Academy Of Hair & Cosmetology has created an application for students to apply for the funding based on their current financial situation. We have created a webpage for the application. This is necessary so we can determine the number of students that are seeking the grant and in turn allocate funds. Applications will be considered until 5PM on May 24, 2020.
When will I know if my application has been approved?
Branford Academy Of Hair & Cosmetology staff will begin the review and approval process on May 25th. The review and approval of applications will take a minimum 5 business days.
How will I receive my funds if eligible?
Money will be issued via a check to students. A form will be signed by the student acknowledging receipt of the funds during check pickup.
Do I have to fill out a FAFSA to receive the emergency grant
Yes, however most Branford Academy Of Hair & CosmetologyBranford Academy Of Hair & Cosmetology students already receive financial aid so we already have a FAFSA on file. For Private pay students, completing a FAFSA is the only way we can tell if you are eligible for Financial aid, which is one of the requirements put in by the Department of Education.
I am currently on a Leave of Absence (LOA) due to COVID-19, am I eligible?
The short answer is yes. All students who have requested a LOA after 03/16/2020, and/or who directly requested the LOA due to COVID-19 will be eligible
Will I receive the emergency grant even if I owe the school money?
Yes. If you are eligible for these emergency grants, you will receive the money even if you have a current balance
Are these grants taxable?
Please visit the IRS webpage here for more information: https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/faqs-higher-education-emergency-relief-fund-and-emergency-financial-aid-grants-under-the-cares-act
Do I have to pay this money back?
No, these funds are specifically labeled as grants by the Department of Education and was part of the CARES act passed by Congress.
How much emergency grant money will I receive
Grant amounts will vary based on the total number of students that apply. All Cosmetology students that apply and are eligible will receive the same amounts. Esthetics students will receive a prorated amount of 40% of the Cosmetology allotment as the total number of program hours are 40% of Cosmetology.
The amount of HEERF funding that institutions received varied based on the Department of Education’s allocation formula. That means the amount of the emergency grants at Branford Academy Of Hair & Cosmetology LLC will not be the same as at other colleges or universities. Each university had to develop its own strategy for disbursing the funds to eligible students enrolled at their campus.
When will I receive my emergency grant?
We expect disbursements to begin the week of June 1.
How can I use the money?
The grant should be used for academically related expenses incurred due to COVID-19. Some examples include expenses related to food, housing, course materials, technology, healthcare, and childcare.
What if I need more money than the emergency grant I received?
We understand that many students are experiencing extreme financial distress right now. The HEERF Emergency Grants are meant to help supplement your financial needs.
I have not applied for FAFSA. Is it too late?
No, you currently can apply for the 19-20 or 20-21 FAFSA. The deadline for applying for the HEERF funds will be May 24th, 2020, so your FAFSA would need to be submitted by May 20th.
Who do I contact if I have questions?
For basic questions about your eligibility for HEERF Emergency Grants, you can email:
Usage Information
1. An acknowledgement that the institution signed and returned to the Department the Certification and Agreement and the assurance that the institution has used, or intends to use, no less than 50 percent of the funds received under Section 18004(a)(1) of the CARES Act to provide Emergency Financial Aid Grants to students.
2. The total amount of funds that the institution will receive or has received from the Department pursuant to the institution’s Certification and Agreement [for] Emergency Financial Aid Grants to Students. $33,899.85
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 submission (i.e., as of the 30-day Report and every 45 days thereafter). todate $33,899.85 has been dispersed to students and $16,502.25 cashed
4. The estimated total number of students at the institution who are 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. 28 students are eligable
5. The total number of students who have received an Emergency Financial Aid Grant to students under Section 18004(a)(1) of the CARES Act. (For example, if you have not issued grants to students yet or have issued fewer than 10 grants, you should indicate that (10 students have received a grant) - 28 students have received and 16 students cashed their check
6. The method(s) used by the institution to determine which students receive Emergency Financial Aid Grants and how much they would receive under Section 18004(a)(1) of the CARES Act. Each student has recieved a check made out tho the student and depostied in to thier personal accounts to assit with living expensess.
7. Any instructions, directions, or guidance provided by the institution to students concerning the Emergency Financial Aid Grants
Graduate Corner
