Columbia College Hollywood’s CARES ACT Information & FAQs

• Columbia College Hollywood acknowledges that the institution signed and returned to the Department of Education the Certification and Agreement and assures 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.
• CCH received a total of $702,919 from the Department pursuant to the institution’s Certification and Agreement [for] Emergency Financial Aid Grants to Students.
• As of August 31, 2020, CCH distributed all $702,919 in Emergency Financial Aid Grant funds to students. Funds were distributed to students who qualified under the CARES Act in two tranches on May 29, 2020, and August 31, 2020.
• On May 29, 2020, the 754 students who were eligible to participate in the program each received $911. CCH chose to distribute an equal dollar amount to all eligible students. This amounted to $686,894 or 98% of the available funds received.
• On August 31, 2020, CCH distributed the remaining $16,025 to students who were more highly impacted by COVID-19 and needed additional help above and beyond the one-time distribution. Those situations were examined on a case-by-case basis.

1. An acknowledgment that the institution signed and returned to the Department the Certification and Agreement and the assurance that the institution has used the applicable amount of funds designated under the CRRSAA and ARP (a)(1) and (a)(4) programs to provide Emergency Financial Aid Grants to Students.

Columbia College Hollywood acknowledges that the institution signed and returned to the Department of Education the Certification and Agreement and assures the institution intends to use, no less than 50 percent of the funds received under Section 18004(a)(1) of the CARES Act (HEERF I) to provide Emergency Financial Aid Grants to students. As CCH was a recipient of HEERF I 18004(a)(1), we were not required to submit a new application, or to sign and return a new Certification and Agreement letter in connection with HEERF II and HEERF III; rather, a standard Certification and Agreement letter was issued following our receipt on 1/22/2021 of HEERF II Section 314(a)(1). CCH will use the applicable amount of funds designated under HEERF II and HEERF III (a)(1) programs to provide Emergency Financial Aid Grants to Students.

2. The total amount of funds that the institution will receive or has received from the Department pursuant to the institution’s Certification and Agreement for Emergency Financial Aid Grants to Students under the CRRSAA and ARP (a)(1) and (a)(4) programs.

CCH received $702,919 on 1/22/2021 under HEERF II (CRRSAA) from the Department of Education pursuant to the institution’s Certification and Agreement for Emergency Financial Aid Grants to Students.

3. The total amount of Emergency Financial Aid Grants distributed to students under the CRRSAA and ARP (a)(1) and (a)(4) programs as of the date of submission (i.e., as of the initial report and every calendar quarter thereafter).

As of March 31, 2021, the college awarded $0 in HEERF II (CRRSAA) emergency grants to students.

4. The estimated total number of students at the institution that are eligible to receive Emergency Financial Aid Grants to Students under the CRRSAA (a)(1) and (a)(4) programs.

Based on the student eligibility parameters included in HEERF II and additional clarification directives provided by the Department of Education, CCH estimates approximately 679 students were eligible for consideration for emergency grant funding.

5. The total number of students who have received an Emergency Financial Aid Grant to students under the CRRSAA (a)(1) and (a)(4) programs.

As of March 31, 2021, there were 0 students who have been awarded emergency grant funds under HEERF II (CRRSAA) based on the eligibility parameters and CCH awarding process.

6. The method(s) used by the institution to determine which students receive Emergency Financial Aid Grants and how much they would receive under the CRRSAA and ARP (a)(1) and (a)(4) programs.

To accommodate the largest amount of eligible student participants, a grant amount per term will be determined based on the enrolled student’s Pell versus non-Pell eligibility and the student’s part- and full-time status in each term beginning in January 2021 through January 2022. Current and former eligible students will be contacted via email message, where possible, informing them of their grant amount.

Each eligible participant will be requested to complete an Attestation Form, included in the email, acknowledging experiences and the expenses incurred as a result of COVID-19, including tuition, food, housing, health care (including mental health care), or child care.  Experiences also includes loss of income.

7. Any instructions, directions, or guidance provided by the institution to students concerning the Emergency Financial Aid Grants.

Email communications will be delivered to eligible students at their school or personal email address concerning the process to complete the HEERF II Grant Attestation Form.

1. An acknowledgment that the institution signed and returned to the Department the Certification and Agreement and the assurance that the institution has used the applicable amount of funds designated under the CRRSAA and ARP (a)(1) and (a)(4) programs to provide Emergency Financial Aid Grants to Students.

Columbia College Hollywood acknowledges that the institution signed and returned to the Department of Education the Certification and Agreement and assures the institution intends to use, no less than 50 percent of the funds received under Section 18004(a)(1) of the CARES Act (HEERF I) to provide Emergency Financial Aid Grants to students. As CCH was a recipient of HEERF I 18004(a)(1), we were not required to submit a new application, or to sign and return a new Certification and Agreement letter in connection with HEERF II and HEERF III; rather, a standard Certification and Agreement letter was issued following our receipt on 1/22/2021 of HEERF II Section 314(a)(1) and following our receipt on 5/17/2021 of HEERF III Section 314(a)(1). CCH will use the applicable amount of funds designated under HEERF II and HEERF III (a)(1) programs to provide Emergency Financial Aid Grants to Students.

2. The total amount of funds that the institution will receive or has received from the Department pursuant to the institution’s Certification and Agreement for Emergency Financial Aid Grants to Students under the CRRSAA and ARP (a)(1) and (a)(4) programs.

CCH received $702,919 on 1/22/2021 under HEERF II (CRRSAA) and $2,160,044 on 5/17/2021 under HEERF III (ARP) for a total of $2,862,963 from the Department of Education pursuant to the institution’s Certification and Agreement for Emergency Financial Aid Grants to Students.

3.The total amount of Emergency Financial Aid Grants distributed to students under the CRRSAA and ARP (a)(1) and (a)(4) programs as of the date of submission (i.e., as of the initial report and every calendar quarter thereafter).

As of June 30, 2021, the college awarded $0 in HEERF II (CRRSAA) or HEERF III (ARP) emergency grants to students.

4. The estimated total number of students at the institution that are eligible to receive Emergency Financial Aid Grants to Students under the CRRSAA and ARP (a)(1) and (a)(4) programs.

Based on the student eligibility parameters included in HEERF II & III and additional clarification directives provided by the Department of Education, CCH estimates approximately 556 students were eligible for consideration for emergency grant funding.

5. The total number of students who have received an Emergency Financial Aid Grant to students under the CRRSAA and ARP (a)(1) and (a)(4) programs.

As of June 30, 2021, there were 0 students who have been awarded emergency grant funds under HEERF II (CRRSAA) and HEERF III (ARP) based on the eligibility parameters and CCH awarding process.

6. The method(s) used by the institution to determine which students receive Emergency Financial Aid Grants and how much they would receive under the CRRSAA and ARP (a)(1) and (a)(4) programs.

To accommodate the largest amount of eligible student participants, a grant amount per term will be determined based on the enrolled student’s Pell versus non-Pell eligibility and the student’s part- and full-time status in each term beginning in January 2021 through January 2022. Current and former eligible students will be contacted via email message, where possible, informing them of their grant amount.

Each eligible participant will be requested to complete an Attestation Form, included in the email, acknowledging experiences and the expenses incurred as a result of COVID-19, including tuition, food, housing, health care (including mental health care), or child care.  Experiences also includes loss of income.

7. Any instructions, directions, or guidance provided by the institution to students concerning the Emergency Financial Aid Grants.

Email communications will be delivered to eligible students at their school or personal email address concerning the process to complete the HEERF II and III Grant Attestation Form.

1. An acknowledgment that the institution signed and returned to the Department the Certification and Agreement and the assurance that the institution has used the applicable amount of funds designated under the CRRSAA and ARP (a)(1) and (a)(4) programs to provide Emergency Financial Aid Grants to Students.

Columbia College Hollywood acknowledges that the institution signed and returned to the Department of Education the Certification and Agreement and assures the institution intends to use, no less than 50 percent of the funds received under Section 18004(a)(1) of the CARES Act (HEERF I) to provide Emergency Financial Aid Grants to students. As CCH was a recipient of HEERF I 18004(a)(1), we were not required to submit a new application, or to sign and return a new Certification and Agreement letter in connection with HEERF II and HEERF III; rather, a standard Certification and Agreement letter was issued following our receipt on 1/22/2021 of HEERF II Section 314(a)(1) and following our receipt on 5/17/2021 of HEERF III Section 314(a)(1). CCH will use the applicable amount of funds designated under HEERF II and HEERF III (a)(1) programs to provide Emergency Financial Aid Grants to Students.

2. The total amount of funds that the institution will receive or has received from the Department pursuant to the institution’s Certification and Agreement for Emergency Financial Aid Grants to Students under the CRRSAA and ARP (a)(1) and (a)(4) programs.

CCH received $702,919 on 1/22/2021 under HEERF II (CRRSAA) and $2,160,044 on 5/17/2021 under HEERF III (ARP) for a total of $2,862,963 from the Department of Education pursuant to the institution’s Certification and Agreement for Emergency Financial Aid Grants to Students.

3. The total amount of Emergency Financial Aid Grants distributed to students under the CRRSAA and ARP (a)(1) and (a)(4) programs as of the date of submission (i.e., as of the initial report and every calendar quarter thereafter).

As of September 30, 2021, the college awarded $0 in HEERF II (CRRSAA) or HEERF III (ARP) emergency grants to students.

4. The estimated total number of students at the institution that are eligible to receive Emergency Financial Aid Grants to Students under the CRRSAA and ARP (a)(1) and (a)(4) programs.

Based on the student eligibility parameters included in HEERF II & III and additional clarification directives provided by the Department of Education, CCH estimates approximately 367 students were eligible for consideration for emergency grant funding.

5. The total number of students who have received an Emergency Financial Aid Grant to students under the CRRSAA and ARP (a)(1) and (a)(4) programs.

As of September 30, 2021, there were 0 students who have been awarded emergency grant funds under HEERF II (CRRSAA) and HEERF III (ARP) based on the eligibility parameters and CCH awarding process.

6. The method(s) used by the institution to determine which students receive Emergency Financial Aid Grants and how much they would receive under the CRRSAA and ARP (a)(1) and (a)(4) programs.

To accommodate the largest amount of eligible student participants, a grant amount per term will be determined based on the enrolled student’s Pell versus non-Pell eligibility and the student’s part- and full-time status in each term beginning in January 2021 through January 2022. Current and former eligible students will be contacted via email message, where possible, informing them of their grant amount.

Each eligible participant will be requested to complete an Attestation Form, included in the email, acknowledging experiences and the expenses incurred as a result of COVID-19, including tuition, food, housing, health care (including mental health care), or child care.  Experiences also includes loss of income.

7. Any instructions, directions, or guidance provided by the institution to students concerning the Emergency Financial Aid Grants.

Email communications will be delivered to eligible students at their school or personal email address concerning the process to complete the HEERF II and III Grant Attestation Form.

1. An acknowledgment that the institution signed and returned to the Department the Certification and Agreement and the assurance that the institution has used the applicable amount of funds designated under the CRRSAA and ARP (a)(1) and (a)(4) programs to provide Emergency Financial Aid Grants to Students.

Columbia College Hollywood acknowledges that the institution signed and returned to the Department of Education the Certification and Agreement and assures the institution intends to use, no less than 50 percent of the funds received under Section 18004(a)(1) of the CARES Act (HEERF I) to provide Emergency Financial Aid Grants to students. As CCH was a recipient of HEERF I 18004(a)(1), we were not required to submit a new application, or to sign and return a new Certification and Agreement letter in connection with HEERF II and HEERF III; rather, a standard Certification and Agreement letter was issued following our receipt on 1/22/2021 of HEERF II Section 314(a)(1) and following our receipt on 5/17/2021 of HEERF III Section 314(a)(1). CCH will use the applicable amount of funds designated under HEERF II and HEERF III (a)(1) programs to provide Emergency Financial Aid Grants to Students.

2. The total amount of funds that the institution will receive or has received from the Department pursuant to the institution’s Certification and Agreement for Emergency Financial Aid Grants to Students under the CRRSAA and ARP (a)(1) and (a)(4) programs.

CCH received $702,919 on 1/22/2021 under HEERF II (CRRSAA) and $2,160,044 on 5/17/2021 under HEERF III (ARP) for a total of $2,862,963 from the Department of Education pursuant to the institution’s Certification and Agreement for Emergency Financial Aid Grants to Students.

3. The total amount of Emergency Financial Aid Grants distributed to students under the CRRSAA and ARP (a)(1) and (a)(4) programs as of the date of submission (i.e., as of the initial report and every calendar quarter thereafter).

As of December 31, 2021, the college awarded $0 in HEERF II (CRRSAA) or HEERF III (ARP) emergency grants to students.

4. The estimated total number of students at the institution that are eligible to receive Emergency Financial Aid Grants to Students under the CRRSAA and ARP (a)(1) and (a)(4) programs.

Based on the student eligibility parameters included in HEERF II & III and additional clarification directives provided by the Department of Education, CCH estimates approximately 577 students were eligible for consideration for emergency grant funding.

5. The total number of students who have received an Emergency Financial Aid Grant to students under the CRRSAA and ARP (a)(1) and (a)(4) programs.

As of December 31, 2021, there were 0 students who have been awarded emergency grant funds under HEERF II (CRRSAA) and HEERF III (ARP) based on the eligibility parameters and CCH awarding process.

6. The method(s) used by the institution to determine which students receive Emergency Financial Aid Grants and how much they would receive under the CRRSAA and ARP (a)(1) and (a)(4) programs.

To accommodate the largest amount of eligible student participants, a grant amount per term will be determined based on the enrolled student’s Pell versus non-Pell eligibility and the student’s part- and full-time status in each term beginning in January 2021 through January 2022. Current and former eligible students will be contacted via email message, where possible, informing them of their grant amount.

Each eligible participant will be requested to complete an Attestation Form, included in the email, acknowledging experiences and the expenses incurred as a result of COVID-19, including tuition, food, housing, health care (including mental health care), or child care.  Experiences also includes loss of income.

7. Any instructions, directions, or guidance provided by the institution to students concerning the Emergency Financial Aid Grants.

Email communications will be delivered to eligible students at their school or personal email address concerning the process to complete the HEERF II and III Grant Attestation Form.

1.An acknowledgment that the institution signed and returned to the Department the Certification and Agreement and the assurance that the institution has used the applicable amount of funds designated under the CRRSAA and ARP (a)(1) and (a)(4) programs to provide Emergency Financial Aid Grants to Students.

Columbia College Hollywood acknowledges that the institution signed and returned to the Department of Education the Certification and Agreement and assures the institution intends to use, no less than 50 percent of the funds received under Section 18004(a)(1) of the CARES Act (HEERF I) to provide Emergency Financial Aid Grants to students. As CCH was a recipient of HEERF I 18004(a)(1), we were not required to submit a new application, or to sign and return a new Certification and Agreement letter in connection with HEERF II and HEERF III; rather, a standard Certification and Agreement letter was issued following our receipt on 1/22/2021 of HEERF II Section 314(a)(1) and following our receipt on 5/17/2021 of HEERF III Section 314(a)(1). CCH will use the applicable amount of funds designated under HEERF II and HEERF III (a)(1) programs to provide Emergency Financial Aid Grants to Students.

2. The total amount of funds that the institution will receive or has received from the Department pursuant to the institution’s Certification and Agreement for Emergency Financial Aid Grants to Students under the CRRSAA and ARP (a)(1) and (a)(4) programs.

CCH received $702,919 on 1/22/2021 under HEERF II (CRRSAA) and $2,160,044 on 5/17/2021 under HEERF III (ARP) for a total of $2,862,963 from the Department of Education pursuant to the institution’s Certification and Agreement for Emergency Financial Aid Grants to Students.

3. The total amount of Emergency Financial Aid Grants distributed to students under the CRRSAA and ARP (a)(1) and (a)(4) programs as of the date of submission (i.e., as of the initial report and every calendar quarter thereafter).

As of March 31, 2022, the college awarded $981,400 in HEERF II (CRRSAA) or HEERF III (ARP) emergency grants to students.

4. The estimated total number of students at the institution that are eligible to receive Emergency Financial Aid Grants to Students under the CRRSAA and ARP (a)(1) and (a)(4) programs.

Based on the student eligibility parameters included in HEERF II & III and additional clarification directives provided by the Department of Education, CCH estimates approximately 942 students were eligible for consideration for emergency grant funding.

5. The total number of students who have received an Emergency Financial Aid Grant to students under the CRRSAA and ARP (a)(1) and (a)(4) programs.

As of March 31, 2022, there were 292 students who have been awarded emergency grant funds under HEERF II (CRRSAA) and HEERF III (ARP) based on the eligibility parameters and CCH awarding process.

6. The method(s) used by the institution to determine which students receive Emergency Financial Aid Grants and how much they would receive under the CRRSAA and ARP (a)(1) and (a)(4) programs.

To accommodate the largest amount of eligible student participants, all eligible students enrolled in CCH between January 1, 2021 and January 31, 2022 will have the opportunity to opt-in to a grant. The grant amount for each term enrolled that will be available to each eligible student who opts-in has been determined as follows:

1. Each Pell eligible student enrolled on a full-time basis will receive $1,400 or $700 if on a part-time basis; and
2. Each non-Pell eligible student enrolled on a full-time basis will receive $700 or $350 if on a part-time basis.

Current and former eligible students will be contacted via their school or personal email address by February 18, 2022, where possible, informing them of their grant amount.

7. Any instructions, directions, or guidance provided by the institution to students concerning the Emergency Financial Aid Grants.

Email communications were and continue to be delivered to eligible students at their school or personal email address concerning the process to complete the HEERF II and III Grant Attestation Form.

Please visit the following US Department of Education’s website links:
CARES (this grant was fulfilled and is no longer available): HEERF I Website
CRRSAA: HEERF II Website
ARP: HEERF III Website

No. Emergency financial aid grants under the CARES Act for unexpected expenses, unmet financial need, or expenses related to the disruption of campus operations on account of the COVID-19 pandemic, such as unexpected expenses for food, housing, course materials, technology, health care, or childcare, are qualified disaster relief payments under section 139 of the Internal Revenue Code. This grant is not included in your gross income.

No. Because the emergency financial aid grant is not includible in your gross income, you cannot claim any deduction or credit for expenses paid with the grant including the tuition and fees deduction, the American Opportunity Credit, or the Lifetime Learning Credit. See section 139(h) of the Internal Revenue Code.

No. The emergency financial aid grants are qualified disaster relief payments, as described in A1 above, and are not included in students’ gross income. As noted in A2 above, students may not claim deductions or credits for these amounts. The reporting of these grants to the IRS on Forms 1098-T could result in the issuance of under reporter notices (Letters CP2000) to students and furnishing such Forms 1098-T to students could cause confusion. Thus, the IRS will not require that these grants be reported pursuant to section 6050S of the Internal Revenue Code on Form 1098-T.