CARES Act: Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund

Program Ended: May 30, 2023. No funding is currently available.

CARES ACT I Grants: We have reached capacity for initial funding for the CARES Act Grant as of April 30, 2020.  We have reached capacity on extended funding as of June 5, 2020.  Applications are no longer being accepted.

CARES HEERF II Grants: The new law authorizing universities to make student grants as part of the Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund II (HEERF II) says that the institution must document exceptional need for the student grantees. Please note that we need to determine if you have the exceptional need required by law, such as students who receive Pell Grants, in order to grant you funding.  We have reached capacity on funding as of June 10, 2021.  Applications are no longer being accepted.

The American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 HEERF III Grants, also called the COVID-19 Stimulus Package or American Rescue Plan:  The Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund III (HEERF III) is authorized by the American Rescue Plan (ARP), Public Law 117-2, signed into law on March 11, 2021, providing support to institutions of higher education to serve students and ensure learning continues during the COVID-19 pandemic. As of May 12, 2023, we have reached capacity on funding for the CARES III grant program.  We are no longer accepting grant applications. 

Click here for Trinity’s Compliance Statement for CARES Act Funds

In response to the global Covid-19 Pandemic, the U.S. Government has enacted the CARES Act to provide, among other things, financial support for students for expenses related to the disruption of campus operations due to coronavirus (including eligible expenses under a student’s cost of attendance such as food, housing, course materials, technology, health care, and child care).

These are special Covid-19 program that is separate from Trinity’s regular Student Emergency Assistance Program. Students may apply for the special Covid-19 emergency grants even if they received other emergency grants previously. Trinity may take into consideration the amount of previous grants in determining the amount of the special Covid-19 grant.

Questions? Contact Dr. Karen Gerlach, Vice President for Student Affairs at Gerlachk@TrinityDC.edu