Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund
The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act or, CARES Act, was passed by Congress and signed by President Donald Trump on March 27th, 2020. This bill allotted $2.2 trillion to provide fast and direct economic aid to the American people negatively impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Of that money, approximately $14 billion was given to the Office of Postsecondary Education as the Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund, or HEERF.
HEERF funds awarded to Orangeburg-Calhoun Technical College include 3 separate awards:
- Section 18004(a)(1) – Student Portion = $998,323
- Section 18004(a)(1) – Institutional Portion = $998,323
- Section 18004(a)(2) – Minority Serving Institutions = $131,802
HEERF Student Portion
OCtech COVID-19 Emergency Fund
Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act)
Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund (HEERF)
OCtech’s CARES Act Emergency Fund provides assistance to students at risk of dropping out of college due to unexpected financial emergencies related to the COVID-19 pandemic. This assistance was created to help students stay in college and meet their educational goals, ultimately securing a better financial future.
Funds from the CARES Act will be available to Title IV-eligible degree-seeking students at OCtech on a first-come, first-served basis until all money designated for students is expended. The funds are designed to offset cost of education expenses incurred during this time, including technology (computers and/or internet access), transportation, rent/mortgage, course materials (books and/or other supplies) and/or food.
In order to follow the guidance outlined in the CARES Act, OCtech will send the money directly to students. To be considered, students are asked to complete a short online survey indicating the type of unexpected financial emergency incurred.
Should you have questions or need additional information about the award, please call (803) 535-1224 or email Dr. Sandra S. Davis at davisss@octech.edu.
CARES Act: Public Reporting and Disclosure (Student Portion):
- 30-Day Initial Report
- 45-Day Subsequent Report (June 23)
- 45-Day Subsequent Report (August 5)
- Quarterly Report (September 30)
- Quarterly Report (December 31)
HEERF Institutional Portion and Minority Serving Institutions
OCtech’s CARES Act Emergency Relief fund for institutional use provides resources for costs related to providing technology hardware and software upgrades due to moving students to an online learning environment, personal protective equipment (PPE), enabling social distancing in classrooms and offices campus-wide, and other expenses related to COVID-19.
CARES Act Public Reporting and Disclosure (Institutional Portion and MSI Funds):
Quarterly Budget and Expenditure Reporting Under CARES Act Sections 18004(a)(1) Institutional Portion, 18004 (a)(2), and 18004(a)(3), if applicable.
