Sedalia, Missouri – March 12, 2021 – On Dec. 27, 2020, the President of the United States signed the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act (CRRSAA), which is intended to support the immediate needs of college students during the continued pandemic. State Fair Community College has received a second round of Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund II (HEERF II) money, as authorized by CRRSAA. SFCC will be distributing approximately $1.2 million in emergency grants to students whose lives continue to be disrupted due to COVID-19 pandemic.
The CRRSAA funds are intended for students to help cover expenses related to the cost of attendance (food, housing and utilities, health insurance including mental health care, transportation, or child care) or for emergency costs that arise due to the coronavirus. Students can now apply for these funds that can be applied to their account balance.
“The pandemic highlighted several needs and challenges our students face, such as expanded access to technology, layoffs and unemployment, illness and family obligations,” said Yvette Sweeney, SFCC’s Student Success Director. “All these needs impact their ability to learn. This relief helps those who are seeking certificates and degrees at State Fair Community College to overcome their challenges, which will lead to more opportunities for students, their families and the community.“
The CRRSAA funds are not considered financial aid and do not affect a student’s current or future financial aid eligibility. Per guidance from the federal government, grants will be distributed to students with exceptional need, which will be identified by the 2020–2021 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Depending on the Expected Family Contribution (EFC), CRRSAA funds will range from $500-$650 for students who have a FAFSA on file and $300 for those who do not have a FAFSA on file.
Eligible students who meet the following requirements are strongly encouraged to complete the consent form that is available in the college’s mySFCC portal:
- Enrolled in spring 2021 semester classes
- Seeking a degree program (certificates and/or associate degrees)
- Be a United States citizen or eligible non-citizen
These funds are given on a first-come, first served basis. To date, approximately 50 percent of SFCC’s eligible students have completed the consent form. According to Keith Acuff, SFCC’s Vice President of Finance, the college has begun distributing funds to students.
“Students, regardless of whether they are currently receiving financial aid, have an opportunity to access these funds that are intended to ease the effects of the pandemic on their lives and help them stay in school,” said Acuff. “To get the ball rolling, they need to go mySFCC and complete the consent form now.”
For more information, contact SFCC’s Financial Aid and Veteran Services at (660) 530-5834 or finaid@sfccmo.edu. Inquiries also can be made at SFCC’s Business office at (660) 530-5826 or busoffice@sfccmo.edu.
