RIC Student Emergency Funds
CRRSAA HEERF II Grants to Students
The Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2021 (CRRSAA) was signed into federal law on December 27, 2020. The Act included the Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund (HEERF) II to support college students whose education has been impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic with financial grants.
Rhode Island College received funding under this program for the specific purpose of providing financial aid grants to students. CRRSAA HEERF II funds can only be used for expenses from any component of a student’s cost of attendance and/or for emergency costs that arise due to the coronavirus.
The following link to RIC CRRSAA Act FAQ’s will provide additional information.
Examples of Cost of Attendance Include:
Tuition and Fees:
- Students can choose to apply the funds directly to their RIC student account to pay tuition charges that were incurred after December 27, 2020.
**Students who have an overdue tuition balance/financial hold from the Spring 2021 semester can choose to use the funds to make a payment toward an account’s outstanding balance.
Textbooks and course materials:
- Students can choose to use the funds to purchase textbooks, course materials or other supplies they need for their classes.
Technology for Learning:
- Students can choose to use the funds to help with the purchase of technology used for taking courses. For example, students who borrowed technology from the User Support Services IT helpdesk or Adams Library for online learning may choose to use the funds toward acquiring their own personal technology to keep going forward.
Examples of Emergency Costs Due to the Coronavirus Include:
- food
- housing
- health care (including mental health care)
- childcare
Rhode Island College will be awarding the CRRSAA HEERF II funds immediately through financial aid and disbursing directly to students via their student account. The grant will be passed through PeopleSoft and will not be applied to or used to offset any charge, debt, tuition, fees, or other balance in a student account, nor will it be encumbered in any manner by Rhode Island College.
For students enrolled in direct deposit, they will have access to the funds in approximately three business days from the date of disbursement. For those not enrolled in direct deposit, the Bursar will issue a check.
The student may decline the award by sending written notification by email to the Financial Aid Office or the student may return the grant to the Bursar.
CARES Act
The Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act provides emergency funds to colleges and universities, including Rhode Island College, to directly support students whose lives and educations have been disrupted by the COVID-19 outbreak. This federal funding is designed to prioritize students with the greatest need. We recognize that the COVID-19 pandemic has caused considerable disruptions and presents unparalleled challenges for many students and their families, and we are committed to delivering these funds as quickly as possible.
The amount Rhode Island College received is largely based on the number of full-time students who are eligible for Pell Grants and federal scholarships for low-income students. In total, it is anticipated Rhode Island College will receive approximately $3.7 million to provide students as emergency financial aid grants. These emergency financial aid grants will provide emergency support for eligible expenses that include costs associated with attendance such as food, housing, course materials, technology, health care, and childcare.
The distribution of these funds is based on guidance from the U.S. Department of Education and a Task Force established by the College, with priority given to students who demonstrate significant financial need.
The following link to RIC CARES Act FAQ’s will provide additional information.
Student Emergency Funds
Students facing unforeseen financial circumstances that jeopardize their ability to continue in school may request emergency funding.
Before requesting emergency funding, please consider other available resources which can be found on Community Resources document created by Learning for Life at http://www.ric.edu/learningforlife/documents/Community-Resources-Document-Coronavirus.pdf.
Student emergency funds for the 2020-2021 academic year have been awarded. While there are no funds available at this time, students are still encouraged to submit their applications if they would like to be connected to a Learning for Life staff member who can help them to explore other resources. Student Emergency Funds Request form.
Preference for Student Emergency Funds will be given to RIC students who:
- Are enrolled or have plans to enroll as a result of funding as a degree student
- Are in good academic standing (CGPA 2.0 minimum)
- Demonstrate financial hardship due to an emergency situation, or for unanticipated and compelling circumstances that jeopardize the student’s ability to successfully continue in school
- Have considered and utilized other sources of funding as appropriate, such as recommended student loans, unless not available in a sufficiently timely manner.
- Students who have not received emergency funds in the past.
Expenses that will be considered include, but are not limited to:
- Tuition
- Books
- Educational supplies
- Childcare
- Food
- Housing
- Transportation
Students will be asked to provide appropriate documentation as part of the application process.
Student emergency funding is provided by the RIC Alumni Association, Barnes & Noble Bookstore, RIC Foundation, Learning for Life, and the Military Resource Center.
If you have any questions about the Student Emergency Funds request or process, contact Joise Garzon, Director of Learning for Life, at
jgarzon@ric.edu or (401) 456-6320.
Please note that there are numerous offices at RIC which provide a variety of support services.
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Career Development Center (assistance in finding both on and off campus employment, as well as selecting a major that matches future career goals): (401) 456-8031, Building 6, Lower Level, East Campus
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Counseling Center (services are free and confidential): (401) 456-8094, Browne Hall
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Disability Services Center (arranges accommodations for students with documented disabilities): (401) 456-2776, Fogarty Life Science 137
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Financial Aid: (401) 456-8033, Building 3
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Health Services (provides confidential and holistic primary health care; students do not need Student Health Insurance to access services): (401) 456-8055, Browne Hall
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Institutional Equity (Title IX and Affirmative Action): (401) 456-8387, Roberts Hall
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Learning for Life (wraparound services for students facing barriers to success; services include Navigator support mentors and linkages to on and off campus resources): (401) 456-6320, Adams Library first floor
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Military Resource Center (The Military Resource Center provides support to military connected students adjusting to higher education. It is a clearinghouse for information on programs and services available to veterans): (401) 456-8449, Student Union 205 (Student Veterans Organization is located in Student Union 422)
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OASIS (tutoring, academic advising): (401) 456-8083, Adams Library first floor
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Student Community Government, Inc. (along with serving as the voice of the student body, has a lawyer on retainer to provide free legal advice to students): (401) 456-8088, Student Union 401
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Student Life (assistance with taking a leave of absence, withdrawing from the College, extended absences, and communicating with faculty members regarding extenuating circumstances): (401) 456-8061, Student Union 408
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Unity Center (College’s multicultural center including the LGBTQ+ Office, International Students Office and the Women’s Center - dedicated to making the educational experience equitable and promoting cultural awareness; offers student lounges, academic resources, cultural events, access to information and referrals, and student leadership development): (401) 456-8791, Donovan Dining Center Lower Level
