Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund (HEERF) Student Financial Aid grant under the Coronavirus, Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act
The Coronavirus, Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act was passed by the U.S. Congress and signed into law on March 27, 2020. One aspect of the act was the creation of the Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund (HEERF). HEERF provides funds to institutions for emergency grants to students whose lives have been disrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Visit the HEERF Emergency Grants website for more information.
The College of the Marshall Islands received CARES Act HEERF Student Financial Aid funding to support eligible students who have been financially impacted by the COVID-19. Please read the following eligibility guidelines & requirements carefully and submit your form to the Financial Aid Office.
Eligibility & Requirements
CMI must adhere to federal guidelines set forth by the Department of Education (ED). Federal guidelines for CMI CARES Act Student Aid require that you must be eligible for Federal Financial Aid and meet the following criteria:
- Be enrolled in an approved degree or credential,
- Not owe any financial aid or have defaulted on any financial aid loan, or not have been involved in any fraudulent receipt, distribution, or overpayment of financial aid funds,
- Be a U.S. citizen or national, a permanent resident, or an eligible noncitizen, and have a social security number,
- Be registered for the selective service (if male),
- Not have a federal or state conviction for drug possession or sale, with certain time limitations,
- Be in good Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) standing.
Steps to Apply
- Complete and submit a Free Application for Financial Student Aid (FAFSA). If you have already submitted a FAFSA for 2019-2020 or 2020-2021, step 1 is not required.
- You will receive an email notification sent to your CMI email address from the Financial Aid Office.
- Open a bank account with the Bank of Guam (BOG) or Bank of the Marshall Islands (BOMI), if you already have a bank account, step 3 is not required.
- Complete, sign and submit your certification and direct deposit form to the Financial Aid Office at financialaid@cmi.edu. Please note that we do not accept hard copy; this form should be submitted through email.
Certification for CARES Act Fund
CMI Application for Financial Assistance
Certification and Bank of Guam Direct Deposit Form
Certification and Bank of the Marshall Islands Direct Deposit Form
*For CMI CARES Act Student Aid, you do not need to submit documentation or verification to the Department of Education (ED) after completing your FAFSA. However, you will receive communication from the ED AND CMI if documents are needed or if you are missing anything in your FAFSA application. Following instructions and completing these verification steps may also make you eligible for Financial Aid.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is eligible?
Current and newly enrolled students who qualify for Federal Financial Aid and have been impacted financially by the COVID-19 pandemic are eligible for CMI’s CARES Act Student Aid.
How do I apply?
- Fill out and submit a FAFSA. If you already have a FAFSA, step one is not required.
- You will be contacted by CMI Financial Aid Office, and an eligibility notification will be sent to your CMI email address.
- Complete, sign and submit your certification and direct deposit form to the Financial Aid Office though email to financialaid@cmi.edu
What if I don’t qualify for CARES Act Student Aid?
If you are not eligible, or unsure if you meet eligibility requirements, please send an email to financialaid@cmi.edu to inquire more of your eligibility. Unfortunately, CMI currently does not have any other sources to fund students that are not eligible for the CARES Act Student Aid.
Does this impact my financial aid?
No. Eligible students may receive both Financial Aid and CARES Act Student Aid.
Can I apply with CMI if I am co-enrolled with another college or university?
No. Federal guidelines specify that students are not eligible for CARES Act Student Aid at CMI if they are co-enrolled in another college or university where you could also receive CARES Act funds.
How do I receive the funds?
Once you have sent your certification and direct deposit form to financialaid@cmi.edu, funds will be directly deposited into your bank account within 3-5 business days.
When can I apply for CARES Act Student Aid?
Funds are available during the 2020 summer, and fall semesters. Students who are currently enrolled in an approved degree or credential program are eligible to receive funds. An eligibility notification of CARES Act funds will be sent to students who are eligible, through their CMI email address.
Official Reporting and Notification Requirements
- An acknowledgement 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- The total number of students who have received an Emergency Financial Aid Grant under Section 18004(a)(1) of the CARES Act.
- The method(s) used to determine which students receive Emergency Financial Aid Grant and how much they would receive under Section 18004(a)(1) of the CARES Act.
- Instructions, directions, or guidance provided to students concerning the Emergency Financial Aid Grant.
Budget Reports
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CARES Cumulative Budget Report Mar-Sept 2020 |
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CARES Quarterly Budget Report June 30, 2020 |
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CARES Quarterly Budget Report September 30, 2020 |
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CARES Quarterly Budget Report December 31, 2021 |
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CARES Quarterly Budget Report March 31, 2022 |
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CARES Quarterly Budget Report June 30, 2022 |
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CARES Quarterly Budget Report September 30, 2022 |
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CARES Quarterly Budget Report January 9, 2023 |
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CARES Quarterly Budget Report March 31, 2023 |
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CARES Quarterly Budget Report June 30, 2023 |
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