What are the COVID Emergency Grants?

NSCC students may be eligible for an emergency grants if they have experienced financial hardship due to the impact of COVID-19. Under federal law Section 484 of Title IV (HEA of 1965), the college has received funding from these programs: The Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act (CARES), the Governor's Emergency Education Relief Fund (GEER), Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund – Minority Service Institutions (HEERF-MSI), the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act (CRRSAA) and the American Rescue Plan Act (ARP).

A student may use an emergency grant to pay for any component of his/her cost of attendance, including an outstanding account balance and/or tuition and fees, as well as for emergency costs that arise due to coronavirus, such as food, housing, health care (including mental health care) or child care.

The last day to apply for CARES funding for the Summer 2021 semester is August 11, 2021.

Who is eligible for funding?

    • Applicants must be students who are currently enrolled in courses at NSCC for the current semester.  Grants will be disbursed after the add/drop period of each term since we need to confirm your enrollment before releasing the funds.

    • For students enrolled in Spring 2020, Summer 2020, Fall 2020, Spring 2021, Summer 2021, Fall 2021 and/or Spring 2022 and completed the emergency grant application.

    • For Fall 2022 any remaining HEERF funds will be spent via the Here to Help Program.

    • The following NSCC students are also eligible for emergency funding:

      Undocumented students, International students, Early College students, Gateway to College students, any other dual enrollment students, any student taking courses towards a high school degree, those students who are not enrolled in a degree or eligible certificate program as well as non-credit courses.

    • Students are encouraged to submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), but it is not required.

What to do next?

Check your account in the MyNorthshore portal as well as your NSCC email. Funding will be disbursed to your student account or by an eRefund account established through the MyNorthshore student portal.  You can request to have funds applied to your bill.

We strongly recommend students who have not already done so, set-up an eRefund profile to allow for NSCC to pay these funds as quickly as possible. Please click here to set-up your eRefund.

COVID Emergency Grant FAQ's

What type of expenses are allowable?

  • A laptop to help with remote learning.

  • Your monthly utility bill has increased because of remote courses.

  • If a student needed to add or enhance their internet service in order to participate in remote learning courses.

  • If a student was relying on SHOC food vouchers or the college's monthly mobile market.

  • If a student needs assistance with tuition, fees or course materials

How much funding will I receive?

Awards are generally awarded based on the number of credit hours a student is enrolled in during the current semester. Please understand that the funding is limited to what was awarded to NSCC by the Federal Government. 

Am I required to repay the funds I receive?

No, the funds received through this program are emergency grant funds and do not have to be repaid. 

Can I apply for funding for more than one semester?

Yes, students can receive awards as long as funds are available. 

What additional resources are available to me if I need access to food and other services, for example internet services, at a reduced cost?  

Please go to the NSCC Here to Help page. The College has been supporting students for a number of years with emergency grant funds and other related services that have all been gathered on this page. We encourage all students to review the community resources available to support their enrollment. 

Who should I contact if I have questions about the Covid-19 Emergency Grant Program?

Please contact Student Financial Services by email or phone (978-762-4189) with any questions.

CARES Act Reporting/HEERF Reporting

Per the Department of Education, North Shore Community College is required to report the following information and update it every 90 days.

  1. North Shore Community College acknowledges that the Certification and Agreement was signed and returned to the Department. NSCC assures that the institution intends to use no less than 50 percent of the funds received under Section 18004(a)(1) of the CARES/GEER/CRSSA/ARP Acts to provide Emergency Financial Aid Grants to students.

  2. North Shore Community College has received $10,376,349 from the Department of Education for Emergency Financial Aid Grants to Students.

  3. As of December 31, 2022, North Shore Community College has distributed $10,376,349 in Emergency Financial Aid Grants to Students.

  4. Approximately 4,083 North Shore Community College students are currently eligible for these grant(s).

  5. As of December 31, 2022, 3,997 North Shore Community College students have received Emergency Financial Aid Grants to Students.

All enrolled students are eligible and awards are determined based on tuition, fees and books. Students can also appeal for help with living expenses.

HEERF Quarterly Reports

September 2020

December 2020

March 2021

June 2021

September 2021

December 2021

March, 2022

June 2022

September 2022

December 2022

March 2023

June 2023

September 2023

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