2020 CARES COVID-19
Student Emergency Financial Aid Grant

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 International Institute of Cosmetology (IIC) receive?

IIC has been allocated $107,032 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. IIC’s allocation was determined by the U.S. Department of Education.  The entire $107,032 will be disbursed to IIC 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 IIC, 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?

IIC 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?

IIC 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 IIC 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 IIC 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 24^th, 2020, so your FAFSA would need to be submitted by May 20^th. 

Who do I contact if I have questions?

For basic questions about your eligibility for HEERF Emergency Grants, you can email: emauelr@studyhair.com