Financial Aid

Notre Dame College has signed and returned to the Department of Education our Certification and Agreement. Notre Dame College assures it will use no less than 50 percent of the funds received under Section 18004(a)(1) of the CARES Act to provide $2,021,155 in Emergency Financial Aid Grants to eligible students.  These grants are to be issued to help cover the costs of food, housing, course materials, technology, health care and child care related to the disruption of campus operations due to coronavirus.

As of December 31, 2021, Notre Dame College has identified $2,021,053 in Emergency Financial Aid Grants under Section 18004(a)(1) of the CARES Act to a total of 1,001 students.  There are an estimated 1,001 students eligible to receive Emergency Financial Aid Grants under the CARES Act at Notre Dame College.

The process followed by Notre Dame College to determine the distribution of these funds is as follows:

• A committee was formed of key administrators and staff to research, develop and administer these funds.
• The committee developed a process ensuring all federal guidelines were followed.
• Eligible expenses were determined and quantified for different groups of students based on several factors, including, but not limited to, whether a student was a resident on campus or a commuter.
• A pool was identified of all eligible students.
• A sliding scale was developed to define categories of need based upon EFC ranges.
• Funds were awarded to each eligible student based upon the student’s EFC.
• Less than 1% or $102 of the total funds received are held in reserve for additional awards to students who assert that the initial award amount was insufficient to cover expenses incurred specifically related to the disruption of campus operations due to coronavirus.
• An online form was created for students to apply for additional funds. The student must detail what expenses related to the disruption of campus operations due to coronavirus they incurred and demonstrate such expenses exceed the amount of the student’s initial award. The college’s Financial Aid Special Circumstance Committee will review each application and determine if an additional award will be given from this remaining reserve of funds.

Our process and the availability of these funds were communicated to our students through individual emails to all eligible students notifying them of the availability of these funds.  Each eligible student received a customized email as well, notifying them of the amount they were awarded and when the funds would be distributed to them.  Instructions were also given regarding the application for additional funds.

For recipients of the CARES Act – Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund (HEERF) Strengthening Institution Program (SIP), the recipient will comply with all reporting requirements including those in Section 15011(b)(2) of Division B of the CARES Act and submit required quarterly reports to the Secretary, at such time and in such manner and containing such information as the Secretary may reasonably require (See also 2 CFR 200.327-200.329).

• Quarterly Budget and Expenditure Reporting Act Section Information

For recipients of the CARES Act – Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund (HEERF) Institutional portion, recipient will comply with all reporting requirements including those in Section 15011(b)(2) of Division B of the CARES Act and submit required reports to the Secretary, at such time and in such manner and containing such information as the Secretary may reasonably require (See also 2 CFR 200.327-200.329).

• Budget and Expenditure Reporting Act Section Information