CARES Act /
Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund

1. An acknowledgement that the institution signed and returned to the Department the Certification and Agreement and the assurance that the institution has used, or intends to use, no less than 50 percent of the funds received under Section 18004(a)(1) of the CARES Act to provide Emergency Financial Aid Grants to students.

   College of the Desert has signed and returned to the Department of Education the Certification and Agreement and will use no less than 50% of the funds received under section 18004(a)(1) of the CARES Act to provide Emergency Financial Aid Grants to students. This includes Higher Education Emergency Relief Funds (HEERF) II & HEERF III. 

2. The total amount of funds that the institution will receive or has received from the Department pursuant to the institution’s Certification and Agreement [for] Emergency Financial Aid Grants to Students.

   In 2020, College of the Desert received $3,530,673.00 in Emergency Financial Aid Grants for our students. For the Spring 2020 term, the institution distributed $1,480,134.78 to eligible students who submitted a CARES Act application and met the requirements set forth by the U.S. Department of Education and College of the Desert standards and timelines. For the Summer 2020 term, the institution distributed $499,998.87 to eligible students who submitted a CARES Act application and met the requirements set forth by the U.S. Department of Education and College of the Desert Standards and timelines. For the Fall 2020 term, the institution distributed $1,530,519.71 to eligible students who submitted a CARES Act application and met the requirements set forth by the U.S. Department of Education and College of the Desert standards and timelines.

   In early Spring 2021, College of the Desert received $3,530,673.00 in Emergency Financial Aid Grants for our students. For the Spring 2021 term, the institution distributed $1,530,651.84 to eligible students who submitted a Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund II (HEERF II) application and met the requirements set forth by the U.S. Department of Education and College of the Desert standards and timelines. For the Summer 2021 term, the institution distributed $1,502,711.14 to eligible students who submitted a Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund II (HEERF II) application and met the requirements set forth by the U.S. Department of Education and College of the Desert Standards and timelines.

   In May 2021, the institution received $12,827,158.00 and was disbursed during the academic year of 2021-2022 and funded from HEERF III.

   For the Fall 2021 term, the institution distributed $10,040,020 to eligible students who submitted a Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund (HEERF II/III) application and met the requirements set forth by the U.S. Department of Education and College of the Desert standards and timelines, including those who met the exceptional need criteria by the deadlines.

   The College also disbursed in October 2021 a total of $5,364,000 to 5,364 eligible students enrolled during the Fall 2021 term who were identified as meeting the exceptional need criteria, effective on August 31,2021. These funds were part of the HEERF III allocation total.

   HEERF II/III Institutional Funds were used to make up the difference between what was being disbursed and the amount received for Emergency Financial Aid Grants.

   For the Spring 2022 term, the College disbursed in March 2022 a total of $4,315,200 to 3,720 eligible students enrolled during the Spring 2022 term who were identified as meeting the exceptional need criteria, effective on March 11,2022. These funds were part of the HEERF III allocation total.

   For the Spring 2023 term, College of the Desert disbursed on March 24, 2023 a total of $268,983 to 1,089 eligible students enrolled in the Spring 2023 term who were identified as meeting the exceptional need criteria, effective March 09, 2023. These funds are part of the remaining HEERF III funds and is the last disbursement for the district.

3. The total amount of Emergency Financial Aid Grants distributed to students under Section 18004(a)(1) of the CARES Act as of the date of submission (i.e., as of the 30-day Report and every 45 days thereafter).

   In 2020, College of the Desert did not distribute any funds for the 30-day report (i.e., May 4, 2020). For the 45-day report (i.e., June 18, 2020), College of the Desert distributed 1.5 million of dollars to eligible students who met the U.S. Department of Education requirements of the CARES Act emergency financial aid grants. For subsequent 45-day report (i.e., August 2, 2020), the institution had no report for the total amount of Emergency Financial Aid Grants of the CARES Act. For the subsequent 45-day report (i.e., September 16, 2020), the institution will report distribution of almost half a million dollars to eligible students who met the U.S. Department of Education requirements of the CARES Act emergency financial aid grants. For the next 45-day report (i.e., October 30, 2020), the institution has no report for the total amount of Emergency Financial Aid Grants of the CARES Act. For the subsequent 45-day report (i.e., December 15, 2020), the institution distributed a little over 1.5 million of dollars to eligible students who met the U.S. Department of Education requirements of the CARES Act financial aid grants.

   In 2021, College of the Desert did not distribute any funds for the 30-day report (i.e., February 17, 2021). For the 45-day report (i.e., April 23, 2021), College of the Desert distributed approximately 1.5 million dollars to eligible students who met the U.S. Department of Education requirements of the HEERF II emergency financial aid grants. For the 45-day report (i.e., June 7, 2021), College of the Desert reported no additional distribution was made by the established reporting deadline. For the subsequent 45-day report (i.e., July 22, 2021), College of the Desert will not have made any distribution by the established reporting deadline.

   For the 45-day report (i.e., September 5, 2021), the College distributed almost 1.5 million dollars to eligible students who met the U.S. Department of Education requirements of the HEERF II emergency financial aid grants. For the 45-day report (i.e., October 20, 2021), the College distributed 5.3 million dollars to eligible students who met the U.S. Department of Education requirements of the HEERF III emergency financial aid grants. For the subsequent 45-day report (i.e., December 4, 2021), College of the Desert distributed approximately 4.6 million dollars to eligible students who met the U.S. Department of Education requirements of the HEERF III emergency financial aid grants.

   In 2022, College of the Desert did not distribute any funds for the 30-day report (i.e., January 3, 2022). For the 45-day report (i.e., February 17,2022), College of the Desert will not distribute any funds. For the 45-day report (April 3, 2022), the College distributed approximately 4.3 million dollars to eligible students who met the U.S. Department of Education requirements of the HEERF III emergency financial aid grants.

   In 2023, College of the Desert determined on February 8, 2023 that there were additional funds and decided to distribute out the remaining funds to students. College of the Desert did not distribute any funds for the 30-day report (i.e., March 10, 2023) . For the 45-day report (i.e., March 25, 2023), the College distributed approximately $268,983 to eligible students who met the U.S. Department of Education requirements of the HEERF III emergency financial aid grants. No other report will be issued as there will be no additional funds to report or distribute.

4. The estimated total number of students at the institution eligible to participate in programs under Section 484 in Title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965 and thus eligible to receive Emergency Financial Aid Grants to students under Section 18004(a)(1) of the CARES Act.

   For the Spring 2020 term, College of the Desert invited 6,481 preliminary eligible students to submit an online application for emergency financial aid grants of the CARES Act.

   For the Summer 2020 term, College of the Desert invited 4,842 preliminary students to submit an online application for emergency financial aid grants of the CARES Act.

   For the Fall 2020 term, College of the Desert invited 10,686 preliminary eligible students to submit an online application for emergency financial aid grants of the CARES Act.

   For the Spring 2021 term, College of the Desert invited 10,193 preliminary eligible students to submit an online application for emergency financial aid grants of the HEERF II.

   For the Summer 2021 term, College of the Desert invited 3,666 preliminary eligible students to submit an online application for emergency financial aid grants of the HEERF II.

   For the Fall 2021 term, College of the Desert had two plans for disbursements.  

   1. The College awarded 5,364 eligible students who met the exceptional need criteria by HEERF III and College of the Desert by the established deadline.

   2. For the second disbursement of the Fall 2021 term opened to all students, College of the Desert invited 10,298 preliminary students to submit an online application for emergency financial aid grants of the HEERF III and College of the Desert guidelines set forth by the U.S. Department of Education.

   For the Spring 2022 term, College of the Desert awarded 3,720 eligible students who met the exceptional need criteria by HEERF III and College of the Desert by the established deadline.

   For the Spring 2023 term, College of the Desert awarded 1,089 eligible students who met the exceptional need criteria by HEERF III and College of the Desert by the established deadline. A query was pulled by the IT Department which included students that were enrolled in an Active Degree Program, had the Federal Pell Grant in an active status for the 2022-2023 award year, were enrolled in 6 units for the spring 2023 term and had at least 30 units completed with College of the Desert. The remaining funds were split equally between all students.

5. The total number of students who have received an Emergency Financial Aid Grant to students under Section 18004(a)(1) of the CARES Act.

   For the Spring 2020 term, the institution awarded 1,713 students who received an emergency financial aid grant of the CARES Act.

   For the Summer 2020 term, the institution awarded 1,197 students who received an emergency financial aid grant of the CARES Act.

   For the Fall 2020 term, the institution awarded 2,267 students who received an emergency financial aid grant of the CARES Act.

   For the Spring 2021 term, the institution awarded 2,298 students who received an emergency financial aid grant of the Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund II (HEERF II).

   For the Summer 2021 term, the institution awarded 1,106 students who received an emergency financial aid grant of the Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund II (HEERF II).

   For the Fall 2021 term, College of the Desert had two plans:

   1. The College awarded 5,364 students who met the exceptional need criteria by HEERF III and College of the Desert by the established deadline. These funds were available to these students in October 2021.

   2. For the second disbursement of the Fall 2021 term open to all students, the College awarded 3,236 students who received an emergency financial aid grant of the HEERF III.

   For the Spring 2022 term, College of the Desert awarded 3,720 eligible students who met the exceptional need criteria by HEERF III and College of the Desert by the established deadline. These funds were available to these students in March 2022.

   For the Spring 2023 term, College of the Desert awarded 1,089 eligible students who met the exceptional need criteria by HEERF III and College of the Desert by the established deadline. These funds were available to these students in March 2023.

   The method(s) used by the institution to determine which students receive Emergency Financial Aid Grants and how much they would receive under Section 18004(a)(1) of the CARES Act.

   • Eligibility for Spring 2020 term

     In order to be eligible for an emergency fund grants, students must demonstrate eligibility to receive Title IV aid and meet all nine of the following requirements:

     1. Be registered at College of the Desert for Spring 2020 courses

     2. Be in good academic standing

     3. Be enrolled in a certificate or associate degree program at COD

     4. Have an active Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) 2019-2020 application

     5. Be a U.S. Citizen or Permanent Resident

     6. Have a valid social security number

     7. Must have registered for Selective Service (if male)

     8. Have a high school diploma or General Education Diploma (GED)

     9. In a program leading to obtaining a degree or certificate.

     For the Spring 2020 term, eligible students received a total of $864.06 of emergency financial aid grant of the CARES Act.

   • Eligibility for the Summer 2020 term

     In order to be eligible for an emergency fund grants, students must demonstrate eligibility:

     1. Be actively registered at College of the Desert for a Summer 2020 course

     International students are not eligible for the CARES Act.

     For the Summer 2020 term, eligible students received a total of $417.71 of emergency financial aid grant of the CARES Act.

   • Eligibility for the Fall 2020 term

     In order to be eligible for an emergency fund grants, students must demonstrate eligibility:

     1. Be actively enrolled in at least one credit/noncredit course at College of the Desert during Fall 2020

     2. Application open to U.S. Citizen, Permanent Resident, Undocumented/other

     International students are not eligible for the CARES Act.

     For the Fall 2020 term, eligible students received a total of $675.13 of emergency financial aid grant of the CARES Act.

   • Eligibility for the Spring 2021 term

     In order to be eligible for an emergency fund grants, students must demonstrate eligibility:

     1. Be actively enrolled in at least one credit/noncredit course at College of the Desert during Spring 2021

     2. Application open to U.S. Citizen, Permanent Resident, Undocumented/other

     International students were not eligible for the CARES Act.

     For the Spring 2021 term, eligible students received a total of $666.08 of emergency financial aid grant of the HEERF II.

   • Eligibility for the Summer 2021 term

     In order to be eligible for an emergency fund grants, students must demonstrate eligibility:

     1. Be actively enrolled in at least one credit/noncredit course at College of the Desert during Summer 2021

     2. Application was opened to U.S. Citizen, Permanent Resident, Undocumented/other

     International students were eligible for the CARES Act.

     For the Summer 2021 term, eligible students received a total of $1,358.69 of emergency financial aid grant of the HEERF II.

   • Eligibility for the Fall 2021 term

     For the Fall 2021 term, College of the Desert had two plans for disbursements of HEERF III funds.

     1. The College awarded 5,364 students who met the exceptional need criteria by HEERF III and College of the Desert by the established deadline. The 5,364 eligible students received a $1000 grant of the HEERF III funding.

     2. For the second disbursement of the Fall 2021 term and in order to be eligible for an emergency fund grants, students must demonstrate eligibility:

        1. Be actively enrolled in at least one credit/noncredit course at College of the Desert during fall 2021

        2. Application open to U.S. Citizen, Permanent Resident, Undocumented/other, and international students

     For the second disbursement of the Fall 2021 term, eligible students received a total of $1,445 of emergency financial aid grant of the HEERF III.

   • Eligibility for the Spring 2022 term

     For the Spring 2022 term, College of the Desert had plans to disburse HEERF III funds to eligible students who met the exceptional need criteria.

     1. The College awarded 3,720 eligible students who met the exceptional need criteria by HEERF III and College of the Desert by the established deadline. The 3,720 eligible students received a $1,160 grant of the HEERF III funding.

   • Eligibility for the Spring 2023 term

     For the Spring 2023 term, College of the Desert had plans to disburse HEERF III funds to eligible students who met the exceptional need criteria.

     1. The College awarded 1,089 eligible students who met the exceptional need criteria by HEERF III and College of the Desert by the established deadline. The 1,089 eligible students received a $247 grant of the HEERF III funding.

        1. Have an active Associate Degree Program
        2. Federal Pell Grant for the 2022-2023 award year
        3. Enrolled in at least 6 units for the spring 2023 term
        4. At least 30 units completed at College of the Desert

6. Any instructions, directions, or guidance provided by the institution to students concerning the Emergency Financial Aid Grants.

Spring 2020 term

College of the Desert adhered to the eligibility requirement standards set forth by the U.S. Department of Education on the distribution of the emergency financial aid of the CARES Act and eligible for Title IV funding. The institution developed student reports and queries based on the federal guidelines. Preliminary eligible students for the emergency financial aid grants were invited to apply to receive these funds from the CARES Act. An online application was created by the institution to invite the students who met preliminary the U.S. Department of Education eligibility requirements for the CARES Act distribution. Invitation to apply included English and Spanish instructions for these students to submit an online application requesting emergency financial aid grants available through the CARES Act. For a three-week period, students were sent directions and guidance to apply through their College of the Desert student email address. Once applicants submitted an emergency financial aid grants application for CARES Act, students received an automatic message informing of the timeline of when the institution would notify if they met the requirements along with instructions for where to send their questions. Eligible students were further screened to ensure compliance with the federal guidelines and distributed the funds equally across students who submitted a successful application.

Summer 2020 term

College of the Desert adhered to the eligibility requirement standards set forth by the U.S. Department of Education on the distribution of the emergency financial aid of the CARES Act. The institution developed student reports and queries based on the federal guidelines. Preliminary eligible students for the emergency financial aid grants were invited to apply to receive these funds from the CARES Act. An online application was created by the institution to invite the students who met preliminary the U.S. Department of Education eligibility requirements for the CARES Act distribution. Invitation to apply included English and Spanish instructions for these students to submit an online application requesting emergency financial aid grants available through the CARES Act. For a three-week period, students were sent directions and guidance to apply through their College of the Desert student email address. Once applicants submitted an emergency financial aid grants application for CARES Act, students received an automatic message informing of the timeline of when the institution would notify if they met the requirements along with instructions for where to send their questions. Eligible students were further screened to ensure compliance with the federal guidelines and distributed the funds equally across students who submitted a successful application.

Fall 2020 term

College of the Desert adhered to the eligibility requirement standards set forth by the U.S. Department of Education on the distribution of the emergency financial aid of the CARES Act. The institution developed student reports and queries based on the federal guidelines. Preliminary eligible students for the emergency financial aid grants were invited to apply to receive these funds from the CARES Act. An online application was created by the institution to invite the students who met preliminary the U.S. Department of Education eligibility requirements for the CARES Act distribution. Invitation to apply included English and Spanish instructions for these students to submit an online application requesting emergency financial aid grants available through the CARES Act. For a three-week period, students were sent directions and guidance to apply through their College of the Desert student email address. Once applicants submitted an emergency financial aid grants application for CARES Act, students received an automatic message informing of the timeline of when the institution would notify if they met the requirements along with instructions for where to send their questions. Eligible students were further screened to ensure compliance with the federal guidelines and distributed the funds equally across students who submitted a successful application.

Spring 2021 term

College of the Desert adhered to the eligibility requirement standards set forth by the U.S. Department of Education on the distribution of the emergency financial aid of the HEERF II. The institution developed student reports and queries based on the federal guidelines. Preliminary eligible students for the emergency financial aid grants were invited to apply to receive these funds from the HEERF II. An online application was created by the institution to invite the students who met preliminary the U.S. Department of Education eligibility requirements for the HEERF II distribution. Invitation to apply included English and Spanish instructions for these students to submit an online application requesting emergency financial aid grants available through the HEERF II. For a three-week period, students were sent directions and guidance to apply through their College of the Desert student email address. Once applicants submitted an emergency financial aid grants application for HEERF II, students received an automatic message informing of the timeline of when the institution would notify if they met the requirements along with instructions for where to send their questions. Eligible students were further screened to ensure compliance with the federal guidelines and distributed the funds equally across students who submitted a successful application.

Summer 2021 term

College of the Desert adhered to the eligibility requirement standards set forth by the U.S. Department of Education on the distribution of the emergency financial aid of the HEERF II. The institution developed student reports and queries based on the federal guidelines. Preliminary eligible students for the emergency financial aid grants were invited to apply to receive these funds from the HEERF II. An online application was created by the institution to invite the students who met preliminary the U.S. Department of Education eligibility requirements for the HEERF II distribution. Invitation to apply included English and Spanish instructions for these students to submit an online application requesting emergency financial aid grants available through the HEERF II. For a three-week period, students were sent directions and guidance to apply through their College of the Desert student email address. Once applicants submitted an emergency financial aid grants application for HEERF II, students received an automatic message informing of the timeline of when the institution would notify if they met the requirements along with instructions for where to send their questions. Eligible students were further screened to ensure compliance with the federal guidelines and distributed the funds equally across students who submitted a successful application.

Fall 2021 term

College of the Desert adhered to the eligibility requirement standards set forth by the U.S. Department of Education on the distribution of the emergency financial aid of the HEERF III. The institution developed student reports and queries based on the federal guidelines.

For the Fall 2021 term, College of the Desert had two plans for disbursements of HEERF III funds. First, the College awarded 5,364 eligible students who met the exceptional need criteria (i.e., California College Promise Grant or Pell Grant Recipient) by HEERF III and College of the Desert by the established deadline. For the second disbursement of the Fall 2021 term, preliminary eligible students for the emergency financial aid grants were invited to apply beginning in October 2021 to receive these funds from the HEERF III. An online application was created by the institution to invite the students who met preliminary the U.S. Department of Education eligibility requirements for the HEERF III distribution. Invitation to apply included English and Spanish instructions for these students to submit an online application requesting emergency financial aid grants available through the HEERF III. For over a three-week period, students were sent directions and guidance to apply through their College of the Desert student email address. Once applicants submitted an emergency financial aid grants application for HEERF III, students received an automatic message informing of the timeline of when the institution would notify if they met the requirements along with instructions for where to send their questions. Eligible students were further screened to ensure compliance with the federal guidelines and distributed the funds equally across students who submitted a successful application.

Spring 2022 term

College of the Desert adhered to the eligibility requirement standards set forth by the U.S. Department of Education on the distribution of the emergency financial aid of the HEERF III. The institution developed student reports and queries based on the federal guidelines.

For the Spring 2022 term, College of the Desert had plans to disburse HEERF III funds to exceptional need students as required. The College awarded 3,720 eligible students who met the exceptional need criteria (i.e., California College Promise Grant or Pell Grant Recipient) by HEERF III and College of the Desert by the established deadline.

Spring 2023 term

College of the Desert adhered to the eligibility requirement standards set forth by the U.S. Department of Education on the distribution of the emergency financial aid of the HEERF III. The institution developed student reports and queries based on the federal guidelines.

For the Spring 2023 term, College of the Desert had plans to disburse out the remaining HEERF III funds to exceptional need students as required. The College awarded 1,089 eligible students who met the exceptional need criteria (i.e., Active Associate Degree Program, Pell Grant Recipient, enrolled in at least 6 units, had at least 30 units completed at College of the Desert) by HEERF III and College of the Desert by the established deadline.