Grant and Scholarship Resources

The CARES Act established and funded the Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund (HEERF).Basically, the CARES ACT ensures that 50% of this funding goes directly to students to mitigate any difficulties caused by COVID-19. This emergency relief funding that Congress has provided to higher learning institutions covers a wide scope of circumstances. 

CARES Act funds can be awarded to students for any “expenses related to the disruption of campus operations due to coronavirus, such as food, housing, course materials, technology, health care, and child care expenses.”

This may include items such as rent, food, utilities, school related technology and/or supplies (e.g., internet, tutoring, computer issues, etc.), or healthcare needs (e.g., medication, counseling, etc.).

For more information you can go to Ed.gov (https://www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ope/heerfstudentfaqs.pdf)

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.

Award amounts generally range from $100 to $1,000 per application.

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