American Rescue Plan (APR) Emergency Funds (HEERF III)

All HEERF III funds have been allocated as of 3/25/2022.

Yes, the Shasta College Foundation has a Survive and Thrive emergency student grant application. Students can apply for up to $250 once per semester.

Per federal guidance for the APR HEERF III student emergency funds, students with exceptional need are prioritized in awarding financial aid grants to students. 

Students who are identified as potentially eligible for the following types of federal and state aid for 2021-22 are automatically awarded APR Emergency Student Aid funds:

• Pell grants (even if you are not eligible for the Pell grant due to your SAP or Pell LEU status, but otherwise have an EFC that would make you eligible for Pell)
• CA College Promise Grant (Part A, B, or D)
• Cal Grant B
• Cal Grant recipients who received the Students with Dependents grant

Students who are not automatically awarded APR Emergency Student Aid funds, but who have experienced a financial emergency may apply for assistance through the Emergency Financial Aid Application.  Applications are reviewed once a week on Wednesday afternoons.

Please Note: All funds have been allocated and we are not accepting anymore applications.

Students who are identified as potentially eligible for the following types of federal and state aid for 2021-22 are automatically awarded APR Emergency Student Aid funds:

• Pell grants (even if you are not eligible for the Pell grant due to your SAP or Pell LEU status, but otherwise have an EFC that would make you eligible for Pell)
• CA College Promise Grant (Part A, B, or D)
• Cal Grant B
• Cal Grant recipients who received the Students with Dependents grant

Students who are not automatically awarded APR Emergency Student Aid funds, but who have experienced a financial emergency may apply for assistance through the Emergency Financial Aid Application. Applications are reviewed once a week on Wednesday afternoons.

Yes. The first HEERF I (CARES Act) stipulated that students had to be enrolled in at least one in-person course during Spring 2020, prior to March 13, 2020 (the date the pandemic was declared a national emergency). However, the APR HEERF III funds do not have the same requirement.

Current immigration law prohibits non-US Citizens who are currently pursuing (or may want to pursue) an extension of their nonimmigrant stay or change their nonimmigrant status (to US Citizenship) from accepting some forms of public benefits. In some cases, the law also prohibits the spouse of a non-US Citizen (even if the spouse may be a US Citizen themselves) from accepting public benefits. The decision to accept or not accept these funds is yours. For more information about this immigration law, please see: https://www.uscis.gov/green-card/green-cardprocesses-and-procedures/public-charge. The Shasta College Financial Aid Office cannot answer questions about immigration law.

However, in a recent webinar sponsored by the California Community College Chancellor’s Office, representatives from the Immigrant Legal Resource Center indicated that tax credits and stimulus checks don’t count in public charge because they are not on-going sources of income maintenance.

Students who were automatically identified received $734.25 per student on September 10, 2021. Students who apply for funds can receive up to $745; the disbursement date will depend on when the student applies for the funds.

In both cases, the award will appear on the student’s Financial Aid information (MyShasta Financial Aid – My Awards) as “COVD3 – COVID APR Student Emergency Aid.”

It appears as “COVD3 COVID APR Student Emergency Aid.”

Students who were automatically identified received $734.25 per student on September 10, 2021. Students who apply for funds can receive up to $745; the disbursement date will depend on when the student applies for the funds.

Students who apply for funds can specify if they want their funds disbursed as a mailed check or via BankMobile.

Students who were automatically awarded funds received their disbursement through BankMobile.

Shasta College partners with BankMobile to disburse financial aid funds (“refunds”). If you have previously received financial aid refunds, you do not need to do anything.

If you have never received a financial aid refund, PLEASE log into BankMobile’s site and set up your preference for how you want to receive your funds. Your choices are:

• Deposit to an existing account - Your money will arrive 1-2 business days after BankMobile receives the funds from the college.
• Deposit to a BankMobile Vibe Checking Account - Your money will arrive the same business day BankMobile receives the funds from the college.
• Check by mail – a check by mail could take up to 21 days. If you choose check by mail, you MUST log into MyShasta to see if we have your current address on file. If we do not, please use MyShasta to update your mailing address. (see image on the next page)

The website to indicate your preference is: RefundSelection.com

• Enter your BankMobile Personal Code or choose to get an instant personal code
• Choose your preferred delivery method

We would STRONGLY suggest you complete your 2021-22 financial aid file as soon as possible.  Not only would you be able to access APR Emergency Funds, you may be able to access additional federal or state financial aid funds.

The APR legislation specifically requires campuses to pay the emergency funds directly to students, not to pay down existing balances.  You may choose to use those funds to pay down your outstanding balance to campus, but that is your choice.