CARES Act Grant to Students

Northern Essex Community College has received funding through the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act to assist students with covering expenses related to the disruption of campus operations due to the coronavirus. Students who need help covering expenses related to the disruption of campus operations due the coronavirus may benefit from funding available through the CARES Act Grant, a $2 trillion fund that was created in the wake of the pandemic.

The college has received $1,635,822 in funding that will go directly to students. NECC identified 3,046 students from the Spring semester who may be eligible to receive funding based on guidance from the U.S. Department of Education. Eligible students who were enrolled during the spring semester and pre-registered for the summer and/or fall terms were automatically awarded grants in the range of $300 – $1,200 based on their spring enrollment.

Click here to view the Quarterly Budget and Expenditure Reporting (PDF)

Fall 2020 CARES Act Grant

In order to be eligible for a Fall CARES Act Grant, a student must be registered for the fall semester and matriculated into an eligible program. Students do not need to fill out a federal FAFSA or currently receive financial aid in order to apply. NECC has identified 3,811 students from the Fall semester who may be eligible to receive funding based on guidance from the U.S. Department of Education. 

To be considered for a Fall CARES Act Grant, a student should complete the Fall CARES Act Application. The College will use the information provided to determine CARES Act Grant eligibility and the amount of a grant. Application deadline is October 2, 2020

Applications will be reviewed beginning October 5th in the order in which they are received. Awards will be granted while funds last.  

Spring/Summer 2020 CARES Act Grant

Students who were registered during the spring semester, but not pre-registered for the summer and/or fall semester received an email informing them of the CARES Act Grant along with a link to the CARES Act application.

To be considered for a CARES Act grant, students do not need to fill out a federal FAFSA or to be currently receiving financial aid. However, students must meet Federal financial aid eligibility, which includes being a U.S. Citizen or eligible non-citizen; having a high school diploma or equivalent; being registered with Selective Service, if male; cannot be in default of a Federal student loan; cannot have an over-award of Federal Pell Grant; must be matriculated into an eligible program; and must be making satisfactory academic progress.

To date, NECC has awarded $1,633,500 to 1,647 students. The funding can be used to cover expenses associated with transitioning to remote learning and the cost of attendance, such as food, housing, course materials, technology, health care and child care. The CARES Act Grants will continue to be awarded to eligible students as long as there are remaining funds available.