CARES Act Grants: Emergency Financial Aid Grant to Students
The American Rescue Plan provides the U.S. Department of Education (“DOE”) with funds for MTI/DTC to provide Emergency Financial Aid Grants to students for expenses that arise due to Coronavirus (COVID-19) including Eligible Expenses under a student’s cost of attendance such as:
- Food
- Housing
- Course materials (to attend school)
- Technology (related to attending online classes)
- Health care
- Childcare
The Emergency Financial Aid Grant is an emergency grant payment to eligible students and is not required to be repaid. Students may be eligible for this need-based grant if they are currently enrolled and actively participating in classes.
Eligible MTI/DTC students are notified via email and U.S. mail regarding their eligibility. Each student is directed to their student portal where they certify that they have incurred qualifying expenses and directions are provided on how to update their contact information. Once the student certifies and is approved, MTI/DTC begins the process of releasing funds and a one-time Emergency Financial Aid Grant check is mailed to them.
MTI/DTC has aligned grant amounts, to the extent possible, with the federal Pell Grant formula that uses the Expected Family Contribution (EFC). Below is a summary:
| Expected Family Contribution (EFC) | Emergency Financial Aid Grant Amount |
| $0 | $1,978 |
| $1-$9,999 | $1,582 |
| $10,000-$24,999 | $791 |
| $25,000-$49,999 | $396 |
| $50,000 and up | $198 |
Students who did not apply for federal financial aid but may have been eligible to receive it will be considered for a $198 grant.
Allocation of Emergency Financial Aid Grants to Students
MTI/DTC has received a total grant amount of $3,582,256.00 from the Department for Emergency Financial Aid Grants to students. MTI/DTC has signed and returned the certification and agreement form, and has used, or 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.
Approximately 3,495 total students at MTI/DTC are eligible to participate in programs under Section 484 in Title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965 and thus eligible to receive Emergency Financial Aid Grants to students under Section 18004(a)(1) of the CARES Act.
As of March 31st, 2022, MTI/DTC has distributed $3,552,505 to 3,211 students. All funds to be distributed from this grant were distributed by the end of January 2021.
More Information
Students who have any other unmet needs related to COVID-19 student expenses that this grant will not cover, please reach out to your Student Success Specialist, and let them know of this need. They may be able to find you additional resources.
For additional questions about the Emergency Financial Aid Grant please contact MTI/DTC at (217) 527-8318.