The Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund (HEERF) I, II and III were passed by Congress and signed into law. The President signed HEERF I into law on March 27, 2020, HEERF II on December 27, 2020, and HEERF III on March 11, 2021 to institutions of higher education to address the disruptions caused by COVID-19.

The law establishes funding for higher educational institutions to provide emergency financial aid grants to students (CFDA No. 84.425E). The grants may be used for any component of the student’s cost of attendance or emergency costs that arise due to coronavirus, such as tuition, food, housing, health care (including mental health care), or childcare.

Rio Hondo College signed and submitted a Certification and Agreement to the Department of Education which assures that our college will use no less than 50% of the funds received from the CARES Act (Section 18004(a)(1) to provide Emergency Financial Aid Grants to students. Direct aid is intended for students whose lives were adversely impacted by the coronavirus and must be used for expenses such as food, housing, course materials, technology, healthcare, and childcare. The college prioritized students with identified financial need for CARES Act funding and established criteria for receipt of the award. Students were notified of their award via email and funds were distributed to them through their Bank Mobile accounts.

Rio Hondo College received approval for the following allocations for HEERF Direct Student Aid portion (CFDA #84.425E):

• HEERF I – $3,116,388 on April 24, 2020
• HEERF II – $3,116,388 on February 16, 2021
• HEERF III – $14,573,012 on May 12, 2021

Rio Hondo received approval for the following allocations for HEERF Institutional and Minority Serving Institutions portions (CFDA #s 84.425F and 84.425L):

• HEERF I – $3,116,388 on April 24, 2020
• HEERF II- $14,115,407 on February 16, 2021
• HEERF III- $15,889,384 on May 12, 2021