NOC CARES

NOC CARES Emergency Relief Fund

Northern Oklahoma College has established the NOC CARES Emergency Relief Fund to help currently enrolled students who are unable to meet immediate, essential expenses because of temporary hardship related to an unexpected situation with limited emergency financial assistance. The college signed and returned to the U.S. Department the Education the Certification and Agreement on April 17, 2020, which provides the assurance that the institution 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.

NOC will receive more than $1.97 million from the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, $985,509 of which is earmarked for student cash grants.

CARES Act grants cover only expenses related to the disruption of campus operations because of COVID-19, according to the U.S. Department of Education. This includes expenses that fall under a student’s cost of attendance, such as food, housing, course materials, technology, health care and child care.

NOC CARES is designated to offset short-term financial need and is not intended to replace or supplement financial aid. Most Spring 2020 NOC students will automatically receive a cash grant from the CARES Act to assist with unexpected expenses arising from the pandemic and are not required to complete a grant application form.

According to the U.S. Department of Education, qualified students must have filled out a Free Application for Federal Student Aid, or FAFSA, earlier this year. The criteria to participate in programs 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.

Students in the following categories will not be eligible to receive NOC CARES funding:

Students enrolled with schedule of all internet or online classes at census date of March 13, 2020
DACA students
International students
Community Service – non-degree seeking students
NOC employees
Concurrent students
NOC/OSU Gateway Program students billed by OSU

As of May 14, 2020, the college projects an estimated total of 1478 students who are eligible to participate in the program. At this time no students have received funds. Disbursement of funds in late May will be determined at a per credit hour calculation based upon the number of credit hours the student was enrolled in at the census date, March 13, 2020. Students should make sure their account is set up for NOC CARES grant refund without delay – see Finance/Financial Aid/Scholarships “How do I set up my account for any potential refund?” on our website www.noc.edu/frequentlyaskedquestions.

As of July 6, 2020, the college has distributed cash grants totaling $818,356 to 1521 students who were eligible to participate in the program. Disbursement of funds were determined at a $44.00 per credit hour calculation based upon the number of credit hours the student was enrolled in at the census date, March 13, 2020. Funds were disbursed on June 3 to those students who requested to receive the grant via direct deposit/EFT. Funds were disbursed on June 13 to those students who requested to receive the grant via a paper check.

As of August 18, the college has distributed cash grants totaling $829,796 to 1546 students who were eligible to participate in the program. Disbursement of funds were determined at a $44.00 per credit hour calculation based upon the number of credit hours the student was enrolled in at the census date, March 13, 2020. Funds were disbursed on August 14 to those students who requested to receive the grant via direct deposit/EFT. Funds were disbursed on August 17 to those students who requested to receive the grant via a paper check.

NOC CARES Technology Fund

Additionally, we recognize that students may face unexpected technology challenges in reaching their educational goals and require financial support to meet their needs. With approximately $50,000 earmarked from the CARES Act funding, NOC is able to provide some emergency financial assistance to help currently enrolled students access urgent basic technology needs. Please see recommended minimal computer and WIFI requirements for virtual learning on our website www.noc.edu/online.

The NOC CARES Technology Fund will be an additional supplement awarded to students on a case-by-case basis. Funding for this emergency financial assistance is limited and may vary from person to person based on a student’s financial need. This is a one-time grant that does not need to be repaid. For best consideration, students with additional need should apply by June 1. The Financial Aid department will review submitted applications and award based on financial need on a first come, first serve basis. NOC CARES Technology grant funds are estimated to be disbursed Late-July.

As of August 18, the college has distributed cash technology grants totaling $155,713 to 106 students who were eligible to participate in the program. Funds were equally distributed on August 14 to those students who requested to receive the grant via direct deposit/EFT. Funds were disbursed on August 17 to those students who requested to receive the grant via a paper check.

Updated: 08.18.2020