HEERF I, II & III - Emergency Financial Aid Grants to Students

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 provide economic relief for students due to COVID-19. The law establishes fundings for schools to provide emergency financial aid grants to students. 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.

Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund

• Student Debt Relief Updates

  Nearly $4.5 million in federal COVID-19 Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund (HEERF) allocations have been identified to pay off and forgive outstanding debt that students have accumulated at Coastline College, Golden West College, and Orange Coast College from Spring 2020 through Spring 2022. The announcement was made by Coast Community College District Chancellor John Weispfenning during a Board of Trustees meeting on Wednesday, August 3, 2022.

  "Many students and families in our district have struggled to make ends meet over the last two years of the COVID-19 pandemic," Chancellor Weispfenning said. "This one-time relief clears away a financial barrier for those students who are ready to complete their program, either by staying enrolled or returning as active students."

  Clearing past debt will help students affected by the COVID-19 pandemic while supporting student retention and completion. The debt payoff and forgiveness will happen automatically for eligible current and former students. Colleges will contact students to notify them that debts are cleared and financial holds on registration have been removed.

  FAQs

  How will I know I am eligible for the Covid Student Debt Relief?

  Students who are enrolled at Coastline from spring of 2020 to spring 2022 semesters/terms are the only students eligible to receive this relief.

  You must have an outstanding debt with Coastline College or one of the other colleges in our district (Orange Coast College or Golden West College) to be eligible.

  You must have debt. Students who have already paid are not eligible – meaning there are now refunds.

  How does this affect me if I have no debt?

  This will not affect students who are or were enrolled from spring 2020-2022 who do not have outstanding debt.

  Why am I not eligible if I have already paid?

  This is not about refunds, this is about clearing debt and using the COVID Emergency Relief Funds for students of higher education institutions that have debt due to COVID circumstances.

  How will I know if I will be getting my student debt covered?

  Students that are eligible will be notified via email by the Student Services office.

  What do I have to do to receive the debt relief?

  Nothing. The Coastline College Office of Financial Aid will pay off your student debt. There is no action required on your part.

  How often will we get this debt relief?

  This is a one-time action. This is from the COVID Emergency Relief Funds.

  What if I am taking classes at more than one college in the district?

  This is a district wide initiative. If you have debt at more than one college, from spring 2020 to spring 2022, your debt will be paid with these relief funds.