Dear ASCC Student,

As part of the United States of America Federal Government – 2021 Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act (CRRSAA), the American Samoa Community College has been allocated additional funds to prevent, prepare for, and respond to coronavirus through the Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund (HEERF).

This supplemental funding for students may be used for tuition, food, housing, health care (including mental health care) or child care.

The CRRSAA supplement funding is a federal program in which the U.S. government guidelines have instructed colleges/universities that, “Unlike the CARES Act, the CRRSAA requires that institutions prioritize students with exceptional need, such as students who receive Pell Grants, in awarding financial aid grants to students. However, students do not need to be Pell recipients or students who are eligible for Pell grants to be identified as having exceptional need.”[1]

A schedule for the disbursement of student stipends is posted in a separate message on MOODLE and on the ASCC Website.

We continue to wish you well, and we hope that the financial assistance of the Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund will provide the needed support during these challenging times.

Sincerely,

Dr. Rosevonne Pato

ASCC President

Reference [1]: 2021-01-14 – Acting Assistant Secretary of Postsecondary Education, Memo: CARES Act Funding Letter for Colleges and Universities accessible via: https://www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ope/asstsecretaryheerfiia1letter.pdf