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CRRSAA Grant

Higher Education Emergency Relief Funding Act (HEERF)

We know that due to COVID-19, many of our students now face heightened financial, physical, emotional, and academic challenges. We care about our students' success and well-being during these difficult times.

The Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund II (HEERF II) is authorized by the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act (CRRSAA). For more information, visit the Department of Higher Education website.

Hennepin Tech CRRSAA Funding (2021)

The CRRSAA Act gives Hennepin Tech discretion with guidance from the Minnesota State System Office on how to allocate CRRSAA emergency funding to students. Emergency student grants can be used to cover student expenses related to the disruption of campus operations due to coronavirus. These eligible expenses include the students cost of attendance or for emergency costs that arise due to Coronavirus, such as, tuition, food, housing, health care (including mental health care), or child care.

Am I Eligible?

Any individual who is or was enrolled at Hennepin Tech on or after March 13, 2020, the date of declaration of the national emergency due to the Coronavirus. Institutions are required to prioritize students with exceptional need and domestic students.

Students not eligible include concurrent high school students, postsecondary enrollment option students (PSEO), students who have their tuition paid by a third party, or those whose tuition is covered by a tuition waiver.

What Can I Receive Funds For?

These eligible expenses include expenses under a student's cost of attendance, such as:

  • Food
  • Housing
  • Transportation
  • Child Care
  • Health Care, including Mental Health Care
  • Classroom Technology
  • Course Materials
  • Academic Support
  • College Tuition and Fees

$300 Tuition Grant (Summer 2021 & Fall 2021)

All eligible students who are registered for summer and/or fall terms will be sent an email to their Hennepin Tech email account. Students will be asked to complete an acceptance form to indicate if they want the funds applied to their tuition or have it dispersed to them directly.

Students not eligible include concurrent high school students, postsecondary enrollment option students (PSEO), students who have their tuition paid by a third party, or those whose tuition is covered by a tuition waiver.

Distribution Timeline

Once eligible students complete the acceptance form, the $300 tuition grant will be applied to their account within one week and dispersed the third week of the term along with any other financial aid. Failing to remain registered in the summer and/or fall terms will result in the award being canceled. Eligible students who fail to complete the acceptance form by Friday, June 25 for the summer term and Friday, September 10 for the fall semester will receive the $300 grant dispersed directly to them the following week.

Frequently Asked Questions

  1. Does this award affect my ability to receive other scholarships or grants?
    This should not affect other funds as long as you meet the requirements of each scholarship or grant.Federal stimulus funds do not count against Cost of Attendance either.
  2. Do I need to complete a FAFSA/have a FAFSA on file to be eligible?
    No.
  3. Is this only for Summer and Fall 2021 and not for Spring of 2022?
    Yes, only summer and fall. Funds have to be spent by February. If we have any remaining funds, we may offer this for Spring, but there are no guarantees.
  4. Who do I need to contact if I have further questions?
    OneStop at 952-995-1300 or OneStop@HennepinTech.edu

Emergency Grant Application (Spring 2021)

All eligible students were invited to apply for an emergency grant. Applications were due by Friday, March 5, 2021, to be considered. Awards were disbursed to eligible students that applied in late March. Only PELL eligible students were authorized to receive these funds.

Distribution Timeline

Applications were due Friday, March 5, 2021. Awards will be dispersed by late March.

Communication with Students

Frequently Asked Questions

  1. What is CRRSAA?

    The Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2021 (CRRSAA) is federal legislation that provides a variety of financial support to individuals and organizations affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.

    CRRSAA includes a Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund (HEERF) that provides relief from the public health and economic impacts of COVID-19. The act provides funding for higher education institutions and their students nationwide. The act allocated $93.361 million for the colleges and universities of Minnesota State. Half was allocated to institutions to help them address their financial losses. Half was allocated to institutions to provide emergency aid for students.

  2. Who is eligible to receive CRRSAA Funding?

    Per guidance by the Minnesota State system, students who were enrolled in credit-based programs and are Pell-eligible. Additional eligibility will be updated as the Department of Education provides further direction. Refer to the “Am I Eligible?” section above for further details.

  3. How does the college determine how much each student receives?

    All CRRSAA eligible students who apply for an emergency grant will be awarded. Award amounts will be based on the requested amount in the application.

  4. Can I receive CRRSAA 2021 funding if I received CARES Act Funding in 2020?

    Yes. The CARES 2020 and CRRSAA 2021 grants are separate grants provided by the federal government. There is no guidance stating a student is only eligible for one grant through the Higher Education Relief Fund.

  5. How will the funds be sent to me if I receive an award?

    Funds will be distributed by direct deposit. If you haven’t already, we encourage you to log in to eServices and enroll in direct deposit now so that the funds can be disbursed directly to your account. If you do not have direct deposit set up, a paper check will be mailed to the physical address that is listed in eServices. Login to make sure your address is up-to-date.

  6. How can I sign-up for direct deposit?

    Direct deposit signup is available to students through eServices. This means that students do not have to submit a direct deposit sign-up form, voided check, or bank letter to set up direct deposit. Students can set up and maintain their direct deposit information through eServices at any time. Download the "How-To Guide."

  7. Can Hennepin Tech direct what I use my award for?

    No.

    The student financial aid emergency grant is provided to the student and may be used by the student for any component of the students cost of attendance or for emergency costs that arise due to Coronavirus, such as, tuition, food, housing, health care (including mental health care), or child care. Hennepin Tech will offer students the opportunity to apply their award to their tuition balance, as the department allows this with the student's consent.

  8. Is the emergency aid considered taxable income?

    No. The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) stated that the CRRSAA emergency funds provided to students will not count as taxable income.

  9. Will the CRRSAA funds effect my financial aid package?

    No. This is an emergency grant to help you manage unexpected expenses related to the COVID-19 crisis, and it will not have any impact on other financial aid you may be eligible to receive. However, your FAFSA may qualify you for additional funds separate from CRRSAA.

  10. Will I be expected to pay the money back?

    No. This is an emergency grant to help you manage unexpected expenses related to the COVID-19 crisis, and it will not have any impact on other financial aid you may be eligible to receive. However, your FAFSA may qualify you for additional funds separate from CRRSAA.

  11. I don’t qualify for CRRSAA funds. What other resources are available to me?

    Students may qualify for a crisis grant provided by the Hennepin Tech Foundation. Please review the application and process on the Crisis Grants webpage.

  12. Will there be additional emergency financial assistance available for future semesters?

    The college is committed to ensuring eligible students are notified of future student grants.

Essential Needs Resources

County Resources

Food Shelves

Emergency Grant Funding Statistics

  • Total funds allocated to the College in CRRSAA funding: $1,327,229.00
  • Certification and Agreement: Signed by Jessica Lauritsen 4/14/2020
  • Total CRRSAA funds awarded to this point: $1,184,823.81
  • Total students awarded to this point: 2,490
  • Total Title IV Eligible students: 1,640

Updated 9/10/21

Essential Needs Resources

Food Resources

County Resources

Food Shelves

Families & Kids

  • National Public Radio (NPR)
  • The National Child Traumatic Stress Network
    • Parent/Caregiver Guide to Helping Families Cope with COVID 19
  • Scholastic is offering free online courses - Learn at Home
  • TPT Twin Cities PBS
  • Minnesota State Childcare Information Line: 651-297-1304 (7:00 am to 7:00 pm.)
  • Resource: https://childcarecenter.us/
  • Hennepin County Library eCards
    Currently eCards are only available to residents and property owners in Hennepin County:
    • Downloadable ebooks, audiobooks, magazines and videos
    • Use library databases to access services that support employment, personal and professional development, and research
    • Access to online tutors and homework help
    • eCards cannot be used to place holds on physical materials;
    • eCards will expire 30 days after the libraries re-open to the public

    For more information, visit the Hennepin County Library website.

Safety Resources

Emergency Assistance Programs

Mental Health Resources

Healthcare Services

Unemployment

Unemployment during COVID-19

Have A Question?

Contact OneStop at OneStop@HennepinTech.edu or 952-995-1300.