Portland Community College | Portland, Oregon

CARES Act disclosure

Updated April 5, 2021 
Funding PCC received was shared between PCC and OCCC – Oregon Coast Community College disclosure.

Portland Community College’s report on funds received under Section 18004(a)(1) of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act to provide Emergency Financial Aid Grants to students.

All Student Portion funds were expended in full in prior quarters; this update reflects the final Institutional Portion funds expenditure and reporting for CARES HEERF and SIP.
PCC is required to provide regular reporting to the U.S. Department of Education (ED) on the use of funds authorized by the CARES Act. Funds received by Portland Community College under the CARES Act were authorized by Congress and signed into law by the President on March 27, 2020. The information noted below is intended to not only meet the reporting requirements of the CARES Act but also provide information to our community regarding the use of the student grant portion of the Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund (HEERF).

Section 18004(e) of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (“CARES Act” or the “Act”)), Pub. L. No. 116-136, 134 Stat. 281 (March 27, 2020), directs institutions receiving funds under Section 18004 of the Act to submit (in a time and manner required by the Secretary) a report to the Secretary describing the use of funds distributed from the HEERF. Section 18004(c) of the CARES Act requires institutions to use no less than 50 percent of the funds received from Section 18004(a)(1) of the CARES Act to provide Emergency Financial Aid Grants to students for expenses related to the disruption of campus operations due to coronavirus (including eligible expenses under a student’s cost of attendance such as food, housing, course materials, technology, health care, and childcare). On April 9, 2020, the ED published documents related to the Emergency Financial Aid Grants, including a letter from Secretary Betsy DeVos, a Certification and Agreement form for signing and returning by institutions to access the funds, and a list of institutional allocations under 18004(a)(1).

The Certification and Agreement direct each institution applying for HEERF funds to comply with Section 18004(e) of the CARES Act and submit an initial report (the “30-day Fund Report”) to the Secretary thirty (30) days from the date of the institution’s Certification and Agreement to ED. Each HEERF participating institution must post the information listed below on the institution’s primary website. The following information must appear in a format and location that is easily accessible to the public per the schedules (original and as amended) provided by the U.S. Department of Education:

• An acknowledgment 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.
  • PCC signed and submitted the U.S. Department of Education (ED) Certification and Agreement for Emergency Financial Aid Grants to Students under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act on April 16, 2020. ED provided PCC with an electronically signed Grant Award Notification (GAN) on April 25, 2020.
• The total amount of funds that the institution will receive or has received from ED according to the institution’s Certification and Agreement for Emergency Financial Aid Grants to Students. From a total of $6,269,372:
  • Portland Community College will receive $6,177,797 for Emergency Financial Aid Grants to Students, and
  • Oregon Coast Community College will receive $91,575 for Emergency Financial Aid Grants to Students – see OCCC’s reporting information.
• 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). PCC:
  • First 30 days (April 26-May 25): $4,663,485
  • Next 45 days (May 26-July 9): $49,135
  • Next 45 days (July 10-Aug 23): $1,364,995
  • The remainder of Quarter 3 (Aug 24-Sept 30): $0
  • Quarter 4 2020 (Oct 1-Dec 31): $100,182 (Student Portion); $83,228 (Institutional Portion)
  • Cumulative as of Dec 31, 2020: $6,261,025 of $6,177,797 (101.4%)
• 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.
  • Spring 2020: 10,284
  • Summer 2020: 4,733
  • Fall 2020: 11,256
• The total number of students who have received an Emergency Financial Aid Grant to students under Section 18004(a)(1) of the CARES Act.
  • Spring 2020: 10,284 (100% of eligible students)
  • Summer 2020: 4,733 (100% of eligible students)
  • Fall 2020: 386 (3.4% of eligible students)
• 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.
  • For Spring and Summer quarters 2020, PCC awarded funds to all eligible students determined to meet the Title IV-eligible criteria, in amounts that were determined by the student’s Expected Family Contribution (EFC), and whether the student was receiving the grant for the first time or second.
    • Spring quarter: The median EFC for all eligible students was approximately $1,200.
      

      Spring quarter

      EFC range	Number of students	Award per student	Total funds
      0 to 1,200	5,035	$620	$3,121,700
      1,201 to 5,000	1,713	$465	$796,545
      5,001 to 10,000	1,391	$310	$431,210
      >10,000	2,026	$155	$314,030

    • Summer quarter: In addition to the EFC requirement, awards to students varied based on whether they had received a prior award in spring term. PCC’s assessment is that COVID-related expenses are a blend of one-time expenses (purchase of a computer or desk) and ongoing expenses each term (internet access, supplies, utilities).
      

      Summer quarter: First-time recipients

      EFC range	Number of students	Award per student	Total funds
      0 to 1,200	634	$620	$393,080
      1,201 to 5,000	239	$465	$111,135
      5,001 to 10,000	250	$310	$77,500
      >10,000	326	$155	$50,530

       

      Summer quarter: Other recipients

      EFC range	Number of students	Award per student	Total funds
      0 to 1,200	1,629	$300	$488,700
      1,201 to 5,000	549	$225	$123,525
      5,001 to 10,000	501	$150	$75,150
      >10,000	605	$75	$45,375

    • For Fall quarter 2020, PCC assessed that the very small amount of remaining funds could not be distributed in the same fashion. Even awarding just first-time recipients with a $0 EFC would have netted average awards of around $50. PCC distributed the remaining funds through its Emergency Grant process, allocating HEERF funds to students who met the Title IV criteria and were reporting a need for funding to support an HEERF-eligible expense consistent with U.S. Department of Education guidance.

• PCC gathered data from several online sources as well as direct information from students and determined that our students had the direct need in a range from $1,489 to $4,184, which is well in excess of what we were able to provide with the HEERF funds. These expenses include but are not limited to:
  • Laptop or computer purchase or repair
  • Printer and printer ink
  • Other technology such as headphone, mic, or camera
  • Internet access
  • Increased utility expense
  • Learning environment supplies (desk, chair, and lighting)
  • Personal and sanitary supplies
  • Books and course materials
  • Healthcare

  Some of these items may be deemed to be one-time, however, most are ongoing or repeat costs.

• For detail on OCCC’s distribution of CARES/HEERF funds to students, please refer to OCCC’s COVID/CARES web page.
• Any instructions, directions, or guidance provided by the institution to students concerning the Emergency Financial Aid Grants.
  • Communication to eligible students

CRRSA Act and ARP Act disclosure

Updated April 5, 2022 
Funding PCC received was shared between PCC and OCCC – Oregon Coast Community College disclosure.

Note: This is anticipated to be PCC’s final quarterly report for HEERF expenditures.

This webpage is Portland Community College’s report on funds received to provide Emergency Financial Aid Grants to students under the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations (CRRSA) and American Rescue Plan (ARP) Acts.

The information noted below is intended to not only meet the reporting requirements specified by statute and the U.S. Department of Education, but also to provide information to our community regarding the use of the Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund (HEERF) Student Portion funds. Information on expenditures from the Institutional Portion of HEERF will be attached in the sidebar in the template required by the Department of Education.

The following information must appear in a format and location that is easily accessible to the public per the schedules (original and as amended) provided by the U.S. Department of Education. The information below applies to Section 18004(a)(1) of the CRRSA and ARP Acts, which includes the Student Portion and Institutional Portion. PCC also received funds under Section 18004(a)(2) which is a separate grant under HEERF for institutions eligible for Title III/Strengthening Institutions Program; information about these funds is available in PCC’s quarterly reports.

• PCC signed and submitted the U.S. Department of Education (ED) Certification and Agreement for Emergency Financial Aid Grants to Students under the CARES  Act on April 16, 2020, and has subsequently drawn down supplemental grant funds which constitutes agreement with the CRRSA and ARP Acts Supplemental Certifications and Agreements. PCC has used the applicable amount of funds designated under the CRRSA and ARP (a)(1) program to provide Emergency Financial Aid Grants to Students.
• 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 under the CRRSA and ARP (a)(1) program.
  • Total HEERF Section 18004(a)(1) II & III funds in CRRSA/ARP: $84,083,045
    • CRRSA: $29,787,645
      • Of this, a minimum of $6,269,372 is designated for students
      • $480,000 was provided to OCCC ($91,575 designated for students)
      • PCC’s net designated for students adjusted for OCCC: $6,177,797
    • ARP: $54,295,400
      • Of this, a minimum of $27,789,497 is designated for students
      •  $582,281 was provided to OCCC ($301,480 designated for students)
      • PCC’s net designated for students adjusted for OCCC: $27,488,017
  • Total HEERF Section 18004(a)(1) II & III funds in CARES: $12,538,743
    • Of this a minimum of $6,269,372 is designated as emergency funds for students
    • $91,575 was allocated to OCCC for emergency student funds
    • PCC’s net designated emergency funds for students: $6,177,797
      • Links to OCCC and PCC CARES disclosures at top of this page
• The total amount of Emergency Financial Aid Grants distributed to students under the CRRSAA and ARP (a)(1) program as of the date of submission (i.e., as of the initial report and every calendar quarter thereafter).
  • Quarter 1, 2021: $0
  • Quarter 2, 2021: $5,496,157
  • Quarter 3, 2021: $4,103,348 [revised 3/31/22*]
  • Quarter 4, 2021: $9,883,600 [revised 3/31/22**]
  • Quarter 1, 2022: $14,182,707
  • Cumulative: $33,665,812  (0.00% remaining)

  Information for 2020 HEERF funds is provided in our CARES Act disclosure.

• The estimated total number of students at the institution that are eligible to receive Emergency Financial Aid Grants to Students under the CRRSAA and ARP (a)(1) program.
  • Spring 2021: 6,206
  • Summer 2021: 11,562
  • Fall 2021: 23,083
  • Winter 2022: 23,086
• The total number of students who have received an Emergency Financial Aid Grant to students under the CRRSAA and ARP (a)(1) programs.
  • Spring 2021: 6,206
  • Summer 2021: 6,074 [revised 3/31/22*]
  • Fall 2021: 8,353 [Revised 3/31/22**]
  • Winter 2022: 9,457
• The method(s) used by the institution to determine which students receive Emergency Financial Aid Grants and how much they would receive under the CRRSAA and ARP (a)(1) program.
  • Our methodology has continually evolved based on available funding, shifting guidance from the U.S. Department of Education, and the pursuit of continuous improvement.
    • For Spring 2021, Sec. 484 eligibility requirements were removed; however citizenship restrictions remained in place. As such we awarded funds to all FAFSA applicants where eligible citizenship could be derived, as well as to students who self-certified they met eligibility requirements as part of PCC’s application-based Emergency Grant process.  Within this, to meet requirements around prioritizing exceptional need, we used each student’s Expected Family Contribution (EFC) as the basis for tiered awards for most recipients, but within the Emergency Grant process allowed students to apply and certify exceptional financial need.
    • For Summer 2021, all registered students (excluding Community Education courses) may be eligible for CRSSA and ARP funds. Students were invited to complete an opt-in form to indicate need for emergency grant funds. To meet federal requirements in prioritizing exceptional need, all respondents with a Pell-eligible Expected Family Contribution (EFC) received the higher tier amount. Students enrolled in Adult Basic Education (ABE) and English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) who indicate eligible financial need through the aforementioned form were also prioritized for the greater award amount.
    • For Fall 2021 and Winter 2022, all registered students (excluding Community Education courses) may be eligible for CRSSA and ARP funds. Students were invited to complete an opt-in form to indicate need for emergency grant funds. All recipients will receive the same amount of funds.
    • Please see PCC’s CARES Act Disclosures above for information about how CARES Act funds were distributed to students (i.e. Spring 2020 – Fall 2020). Note: PCC did not have HEERF funds available in Winter 2021.
    • For detail on OCCC’s distribution of CARES/HEERF funds to students, refer to OCCC’s COVID/CARES page.

• Any instructions, directions, or guidance provided by the institution to students concerning the Emergency Financial Aid Grants.
  • COVID-19 Emergency Aid information for students [link removed].
  • Communications sent by email to eligible students, see text below.

* Quarter 3 revised upward by $1200 and 2 students.
** Quarter 4 dollars and headcount revised to eliminate double counting of disbursements made in late September already correctly included in reported Quarter 3 figures.