Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund (HEERF)

Indian River State College (IRSC) is disbursing HEERF funds to eligible IRSC students who completed coursework this summer and meet eligibility requirements. The one-time awards are grants and do not have to be paid back by the student.

2021 Summer Award Amounts and Disbursement

Award amounts vary. Maximum awards are $750 per student; minimum awards are $450 per student.

Distribution of awards is based on a student’s Expected Family Contribution (EFC) as calculated in the FAFSA on file. This means that if a student is eligible for a lot of federal financial aid, they are likely to receive more HEERF funding; likewise, if a student isn’t eligible for federal financial aid, they may only receive the minimum HEERF award.

Awarding of HEERF Funds

IRSC has identified 3,960 students eligible to receive HEERF funding based on the criteria listed below. These students will receive communication from IRSC notifying them of the award. Information regarding how IRSC will deliver your funds will be included in the email.

Eligible Students

Students must meet the following criteria to qualify for the funds:

1. Students must have been enrolled at IRSC during at least one of the Summer 2021 semesters. 
2. Students must be pursuing an IRSC college degree or certificate program (one that is eligible for title IV funding).
3. Students must have a completed the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) on file in order to demonstrate that they have the following: (FAFSA):

• • Valid social security number;
  • U.S. citizen or other qualifying citizenship; and
  • Earned high school diploma or GED.

Not Eligible, Needs Assistance

IRSC understands the grants won’t cover every student that the COVID-19 pandemic has negatively impacted. Students who need emergency aid or immediate assistance in order to maintain their academic progress may qualify for other funding opportunities, including federal financial aid and/or limited scholarships available through the IRSC Foundation.

If you are in need, reach out to the College by contacting the IRSC Student Communications Center by phone at 772-462-4772 or 1-866-792-4772 (toll-free).

Fall Students

IRSC will continue to award HEERF funds to students until all funds are disbursed. In preparation for awards, IRSC suggests that students complete the FAFSA if they have not done so already and enroll in direct deposit in their Workday account, accessible through MyPioneerPortal.

Indian River State College is making the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2021 (CRRSAA) funding available on a first-come, first-serve basis. The one-time awards are grants and do not have to be paid back by the student.

2021 Spring Award Amounts and Disbursement 

Award amounts vary. Maximum awards are $750 per student; minimum awards are $450 per student.

Distribution of awards is based on a student’s Expected Family Contribution (EFC) as calculated in the FAFSA on file. This means that if a student is eligible for a lot of federal financial aid, they are likely to receive more CRRSAA funding; likewise, if a student isn’t eligible for federal financial aid, they may only receive the minimum CRRSAA award.

Process to Apply for CRRSAA Emergency Grants

Eligible Students

IRSC has taken steps to identify the student cohort (6,330) currently eligible to receive CRRSAA funding based on the criteria listed above. These students will be sent a text if a cell phone number is on file, and/or emailed more information to their RiverMail address. Information regarding how IRSC will deliver your funds will be included in the email.

Eligible Students with No FAFSA on File

The College has also identified an additional cohort of students 3,556 that can qualify for CRRSAA funding should they complete a FAFSA and have it on file with the College. These students will be sent a text if a cell phone number is on file, and/or emailed further instructions on how to complete the FAFSA promptly, and any additional steps they need to take at this time.

Potentially Eligible – Meet Criteria, No Email from IRSC

Students who attended IRSC in the spring 2021 semester and feel certain that they meet the listed criteria for CRRSAA funding, but did not receive an email, are encouraged to contact IRSC beginning April 5 with their name, student ID number, and phone number. 

The College will review each request for CRRSAA funding and notify students of their status.

Not Eligible, Needs Assistance

IRSC understands the CRRSAA grants won’t cover every student that the COVID-19 pandemic has negatively impacted. Students that are in need of emergency or immediate assistance in order to maintain their academic progress may qualify for other funding opportunities, including federal financial aid and/or limited scholarships available through the IRSC Foundation.

If you are in need, reach out to the College by contacting the IRSC Information Call Center by phone at 772-462-4772 or 1-866-792-4772 (toll-free).

Eligible Students

Students must meet the following criteria to qualify for the funds:

1. Students must be currently enrolled at IRSC during the spring 2021 semester at the time eligibility was determined (March 25, 2021) or be a student who was enrolled in and completed Spring A 2021 courses. 
2. Students must be pursuing an IRSC college degree or certificate program (one that is eligible for title IV funding).
3. Students must have a completed the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) on file in order to demonstrate that they have the following: (FAFSA):

• • Valid social security number;
  • U.S. citizen or other qualifying citizenship; and
  • Earned high school diploma or GED.

NOTE: If you have yet to do so, you can access and complete the FAFSA here. Students who complete a FAFSA may be eligible for stimulus dollars even if they do not meet ncome requirements for Pell funding.

Indian River State College (IRSC) will distribute an additional $5 million to eligible students through the Federal Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act (CRRSAA). The emergency aid is for enrolled Spring 2021 students who have experienced financial hardship due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Eligible students will be notified in March through their RiverMail email address, and directions to apply for funds will be included in that communication. The one-time awards are grants and do not have to be paid back by the student. Awards will be based on a student’s Expected Family Contribution (EFC), so students must have a 2020-2021 FAFSA on file. Students are also encouraged to set up a direct deposit account within Workday if they haven’t already done so.

Indian River State College (IRSC) is pleased to announce that it has completed distribution of $4,776,547.00 in CARES Act grant monies to 6,102 eligible students impacted by the disruption of campus operations due to COVID-19. The dissemination of funds, made possible through the passage of the Federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, was one of several initiatives that IRSC has implemented to ease financial hardship, encourage uninterrupted educational attainment, and promote physical and mental well-being for members of its campus communities during COVID-19.

Disbursements of CARES Act grant monies began in May and concluded this month. The College followed the strict guidance of the U.S. Department of Education (USDOE) in its interpretation of the CARES Act funding, particularly with respect to eligibility of the awards. Award amounts were determined in alignment with student anticipated need, per Expected Family Contribution, and based upon both the total number of eligible students and total amount of funding made available to IRSC.

July 15, 2020 Update:

IRSC is pleased to announce plans to begin its next round of awarding CARES Act dollars to students. With our remaining award from the Department of Education, we will extend CARES Act funding to students attending courses in the Summer (to include Summer A, B, and / or full summer terms).

Eligibility requirements and award amounts are unchanged, and are outlined below.

Students will receive information via email notifying them of their eligibility and next steps. Any students who believe they may be eligible but have yet to complete a FAFSA should do so as soon as possible. As a reminder, money will be distributed on a first-come, first-served basis. This round of funding will end on August 6 or whenever all funds are disbursed.

June 18, 2020 Update:

On Wednesday, June 17, 2020, the U.S. Department of Education published an interim federal rule (IFR) rescinding CARES Act funding eligibility for students in non-Title IV eligible programs and/or not meeting Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) requirements. Indian River State College is disappointed with the timing of the IFR as it conflicts with our recently approved expansion of CARES Act emergency grants to these students from the Spring 2020 semester. A few states have already challenged the IFR in court, however, it is unclear if the status will be challenged in the State of Florida.

At this time, IRSC will honor the awards for students enrolled in non-Title IV programs or students not meeting SAP requirements during Spring 2020 who have completed their application and are awaiting disbursement. The College must pause its fulfillment of any CARES Act awards to this group of students moving forward.

June 11, 2020 Update:
With updated guidance from the U. S. Department of Education IRSC has removed the requirement that students be enrolled in a Title IV program (one that qualifies for financial aid funding). All students who attended IRSC during the spring 2020 semester may now apply for CARES Act funds provided they meet all other eligibility requirements. Eligibility criteria may now be demonstrated and verified by submission of either the 2019–2020 or 2020–2021 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).

June 3, 2020 Update:
With updated guidance from the U. S. Department of Education, IRSC has adjusted its process and will now permit students to apply for CARES Act funds regardless of SAP status, provided they meet all other eligibility requirements.

Eligible Students

According to guidance provided by the U.S. Department of Education (updated per the June 17, 2020, interim federal rule) students must meet the following criteria to qualify for the funds:

1. Students must have attended IRSC during the spring 2020 semester;
2. Students must be pursuing an IRSC college degree or certificate program (one that is eligible for financial aid funding): and
3. Students must meet the following criteria, which needs to be demonstrated and verified by submission of the 2019–2020 or the 2020–2021 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA):
   • Valid social security number;
   • Be a U.S. citizen or have other qualifying citizenship;
   • Earned high school diploma or GED; and
   • Registered for selective service (before the age of 26; for male students)

NOTE: If you have yet to do so, you can access and complete the FAFSA here. Students who complete a FAFSA may be eligible for stimulus dollars even if they do not meet income requirements for Pell funding.

Non-Eligible Students

The CARES Act excludes some students from eligibility (updated per the June 17, 2020 interim federal rule). Per the U.S. Dept. of Education, the following students may not receive CARES Act funding:

• Dual Enrollment students
• Adult Education Program students
• Non-Citizen students
• Students not meeting Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) standards at the start of the spring 2020 term
• Students who withdrew from the spring 2020 term prior to March 27, 2020, the date the CARES Act was enacted
• Students who were enrolled in a fully online program prior to March 13, 2020, the date the President declared a National Emergency as a result of COVID-19

Process to Apply for CARES Act Emergency Grants

Eligible Students

IRSC has taken steps to identify the student cohort (6,423 students initally, an additional 602 on June 3, and an additional 200 on June 11) eligible to apply for CARES Act funding based on the criteria listed above. These students will be sent a text if a cell phone number is on file, and/or emailed more information to their RiverMail address. Instructions on how to proceed with the application process will be included in the email.

Eligible Students with No FAFSA on File

The College has also identified an additional cohort of students (1,956 students initially, an additional 767 on June 3, and  2,203 more on June 11) that can qualify for CARES Act funding should they complete a FAFSA and have it on file with the College. These students will be sent a text if a cell phone number is on file, and/or emailed further instructions on how to complete the FAFSA promptly, and any additional steps they need to take at this time.

Potentially Eligible—Meet Criteria, No Email from IRSC

Students who attended IRSC in the spring 2020 semester and feel certain that they meet the listed criteria for CARES Act funding eligibility, but did not receive an email, are encouraged to contact IRSC beginning May 19 with their name, student ID number, and phone number.

The College will review each request for CARES Act eligibility, and notify students of their statuses.

Not Eligible, Needs Assistance

IRSC understands the CARES Act grants won’t cover every student that the COVID-19 pandemic has negatively impacted. Students that are in need of emergency or immediate assistance in order to maintain their academic progress may qualify for other funding opportunities, including federal financial aid and/or limited scholarships available through the IRSC Foundation.

If you are in need, reach out to the College by contacting the IRSC Information Call Center by phone at 772-462-4772 or 1-866-792-4772 (toll-free).