Financial Assistant Resources
Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund (HEERF) Reporting
Northwest Educational Center is committed to helping our students who have been financially affected by COVID-19. The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, which was passed by Congress and signed into law, provides funding to colleges and universities through the Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund (HEERF). The University will utilize no less than 50% of the funding received under Section 18004(a)(1) of the CARES Act to provide Emergency Financial Aid Grants to students.
Pursuant to the Certification and Agreement signed by Northwest Educational Center and submitted to the U.S. Department of Education, Northwest Educational Center received HEERF funds in the amount of $519,264.00. Northwest Educational Center will allocate $259,632.00 in HEERF Student Share Grant Funds to all eligible students.
HEERF Funds Distribution
Northwest Educational Center’s first 30-day progress report and presents information as of June 20, 2020.
Total # of estimated students eligible to receive HEERF Financial Aid Grant: 277
Total # of students who have received HEERF Financial Aid Grant: 0
Total amount of HEERF funds awarded: 0
HEERF Funds Distribution as of December 31, 2020.
Total # of estimated students eligible to receive HEERF Financial Aid Grant: 277
Total # of students who have received HEERF Financial Aid Grant: 32
Total amount of HEERF funds awarded: $16,575
HEERF Funds Distribution as of March 31, 2021.
Total # of students eligible to receive HEERF Financial Aid Grant: 330
Total # of students who have received HEERF Financial Aid Grant: 272
Total amount of HEERF funds awarded: $235,804
Student eligibility for the CARES Act HEERF-student aid funding was determined by Northwest Educational Center based on guidance from the U.S. Department of Education’s CARES HEERF Certification and Agreement, HEERF Student FAQs, Sections 18004(a)(1) and 18004(c) of the CARES Act, and Section 484 in Title IV of the Higher Education Act (HEA) of 1965, as amended. The criteria to participate in programs to receive emergency financial aid grants under Section 484 of the HEA include but are not limited to the following:
- U.S. citizenship or eligible noncitizen
- a valid Social Security number
- registration with Selective Service (if the student is male)
- and a high school diploma, GED or completion of high school in an approved
homeschool setting.
The methods used by Northwest Educational Center to determine which students receive Student Emergency Aid Grants and how much they will receive under Section 18004(a)(1) of the HEERF are as follows: Students who apply through the website and are eligible to receive the HEERF grant. Award priority will be given to students with the highest need. The date eligible students complete the application on the website will also be used in making the awards. Amounts will be awarded to assist as many students as possible based on the needs presented in the application.
The current interpretation of the guidelines from the U.S. Department of Education indicates that students who have graduated or otherwise withdrawn prior to the award date and are not continuing their education at Northwest Educational Center are not eligible to receive funds. Northwest Educational Center is reserving a portion of the funds for otherwise eligible students in this situation, for consideration if the federal rules change.
