There are three different distributions for CARES Act funding:

1. CARES Act Across-the-Board funding – $125 for eligible students. NO APPLICATION – this was an automatic award. Funds were disbursed in April 2020.
2. CARES Act Needs-Based/Pell Eligible funding – Award amount is dependent on Pell-eligible status from student FAFSA application and the number credits they were enrolled in as of March 6. NO APPLICATION – this was an automatic award. Funds were disbursed in April 2020. More information listed on this page: https://ridgewater.edu/covid-19/cares-act/.
3. CARES Act Emergency Grant funding – this is additional funding for urgent financial situations. This requires the application. Students will receive a response for the CARES Act emergency grant within 8-10 business days from when they submitted their application.

The resource described on this page is the CARES Act Emergency Grant (#3). The money for CARES Act distributions comes from federal funding and eligibility requirements follow federal guidelines. Students in urgent financial situations who do not qualify for CARES Act Funding should meet with a Ridgewater College Counselor to discuss other resources that may be available to help. 

Eligibility Requirements

• Must be a new or returning student actively enrolled for Fall Semester 2020 at Ridgewater College
• Have not received previous emergency grant funding from the CARES Emergency Grant Fund in 2020 (up to $1000 lifetime maximum)
• Are not enrolled as Post-Secondary Enrollment Options (PSEO) or Concurrent Enrollment/College in the Schools, Senior Citizens, employer-paid students, DACA/undocumented students, or Dually Enrolled** **Dually enrolled students are defined as students who are enrolled at another Minnesota State college or university and taking a class at Ridgewater.
• Are taking one or more courses during Fall Semester 2020 which would have normally been offered face-to-face that are now being delivered in an online or hybrid delivery mode and/or are taking courses which a face-to-face component during Fall Semester 2020. (Course schedules will be checked in our review process)
• Must meet eligibility requirements to apply for financial aid through the FAFSA process: (1) Be a U.S. citizen or an eligible noncitizen (including a U.S. national or permanent resident) and have a valid Social Security number; (2) Have a high school diploma or GED certificate; (3) Be enrolled or accepted as a student in an eligible degree or certificate program.

To access the application students will need to login with their StarID@go.minnstate.edu and StarID password.

APPLY FOR CARES ACT EMERGENCY GRANT 

The Ridgewater Emergency Loan is designed to assist students who are enrolled in a degree/diploma program and registered for six credits or more. After the five-day drop/add period has elapsed, students may apply for a limited funding amount to meet emergency financial obligations. Students must be able to prove, if applicable, the means to repay the amount borrowed within the specified time limit. Repayment is strongly recommended within 30 days. A $5 processing fee is added to the amount borrowed.  The purpose of the loan is also documented. 

Eligibility Requirements 

• You have no outstanding Emergency Loans for the current semester.
• You have not received a financial aid disbursement for the present term.  (Or can provide documentation of future income; identify a course of income)
• You currently do not owe a past due balance on your account. 
• Enrolled for at least 6 credits. 

Students must meet with a Ridgewater College counselor. Our counselors will explore all angles, resources, and opportunities with the student. An application for Ridgewater Cares Emergency Funding will be provided if the counselor feels it is necessary. 

Contact a Ridgewater College Counselor 

For questions regarding Ridgewater Emergency Loans, please contact one of our Ridgewater College Counselors. 
Ridgewater College Counselors 

Student situations will be fully assessed before funds are granted. The counselor will assist students in connecting with additional campus and community resources that may help with their financial situations before applying for the RCEF Grant. Funds will be granted for the minimum amount necessary to alleviate student situations, not to exceed a set cap. Awards/payments are primarily made out to the third party involved (i.e. a landlord or car repair shop). 

Eligibility Requirements 

• Must be enrolled in six (6) credits or more at Ridgewater College
• Must be in good academic standing (2.0 GPA or above)
• Non-credit and Postsecondary Enrollment Options students are not eligible to receive these funds
• Must meet with a Ridgewater College counselor and explore all other possible resources
• Cannot have received the RCEF Grant before

ELIGIBLE EXPENSES

• Transportation / Gas / Vehicle Repairs
• Child Care
• Housing/Rent (with an eviction notice)
• Utilities (with shut-off notice)
• Food emergencies that cannot be met by the campus program
• Medical/Dental Expenses
• Safety (lock change)
• Items needing replacement due to natural disaster, crime, or accident
• OR any unforeseen expense that, if not resolved quickly, could impact the student’s ability to attend class or remain enrolled at Ridgewater College

INELIGIBLE EXPENSES

•  Violation of law or legal fees
• Credit card payments
• Non-essentials & entertainment
• Replacement of items not due to natural disaster or accident
• Wage reimbursement/loss of income 

Students must meet with a Ridgewater College counselor. Our counselors will explore all angles, resources, and opportunities with the student. An application for Ridgewater Cares Emergency Funding will be provided if the counselor feels it is necessary. 

Contact a Ridgewater College Counselor 

The CHS Emergency Grants are intended to extend the safety net and assist students enrolled in an agriculture program with the challenges caused by COVID-19, whether through the loss of income, financial support or stability, lack of resources to effectively engage remotely, or otherwise. Eligible expenses include expenses that are part of a student’s cost of attendance, such as food, housing, course materials, technology, health care, and childcare.

• Must be or have been enrolled in one of the following Agriculture programs at Ridgewater College during Spring Semester 2020, Fall Semester 2020, or Spring Semester 2021
  • Ag-Power & Equipment Technician
  • Agri-Business
  • Agronomy Technology
  • Dairy Management
  • Farm Operation & Management
  • GPS/GIS for Agriculture

• Enrolled in at least 6 credits each semester

Students must meet with a Ridgewater College counselor. Our counselors will explore all angles, resources, and opportunities with the student. An application for CHS Emergency Funding will be provided if the counselor feels it is necessary.

Contact a Ridgewater College Counselor  

• Be enrolled part or full time at Ridgewater College in the Registered Nursing or Bachelor of Science in Nursing program, within 2 semesters of completing their education plan;
• Be making satisfactory academic achievement in their coursework, and on track to graduate;
• Demonstrate financial need to overcome a one-time financial obstacle.

Students must meet with a Ridgewater College counselor. Our counselors will explore all angles, resources, and opportunities with the student. An application for the Floren Nursing Emergency Fund will be provided if the counselor feels it is necessary.

Contact a Ridgewater College Counselor