Important Note: The COVID-19 Financial Relief Fund is now closed. If you have any questions, please email caresfunding@highline.edu.
Are you a Highline College student with expenses related to the COVID-19 pandemic? You may qualify for the COVID-19 Financial Relief Fund. Highline College has multiple funding sources available. If you have experienced financial hardship due to COVID-19, we encourage you to apply. Funding sources include but are not limited to Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act (CRRSSA), American Rescue Plan (ARP), and Highline College Foundation.
Each eligible student may receive a maximum award of up to $1,000. These funds may be applied toward food, rent, tuition and fees, books or course materials, child care and health care, and other educational-related needs.
The funds will be sent to you directly via your selected refund preference with BankMobile Disbursements, a technology solution, powered by BMTX, Inc. Highline College cannot directly apply these funds to your tuition. More information about BankMobile Disbursements is below.
Who is Eligible?
We encourage students who have experienced financial hardship due to the COVID-19 pandemic to apply. Once we receive your application, our team will determine if you are eligible for any of the funds we have available. However, all of our funds do have the requirements listed below. Students are to:
- Be enrolled for Winter Quarter 2023
- Demonstrate financial need due to the COVID-19 pandemic
- Plan to enroll in Spring Quarter 2023
- Undocumented, Running Start, ELCAP, and international students may be eligible.
Due to limited funds, the college will only be able to award a limited number of eligible applicants. The college will prioritize funding for the following:
- Students who did not receive Highline College Emergency Funds during the Fall quarter 2022 and Winter quarter 2023; and
- Students who are enrolled at Highline College in Winter 2023 and plan to enroll in Spring 2023; and
- Students who currently have college debt; and
- Students who have identified (via the application) at least one financial need and challenge due to COVID-19 disruptions.
Notification Process
Students whose applications have been reviewed and finalized will be notified of their funding status beginning Friday, February 17, 2023. If you have not received an email regarding your application, it means your application is still in the process of being reviewed. We will do our best to notify you sooner if possible.
Application Open Dates and Time
The COVID-19 Financial Relief Funds Application will be open only during the listed date and times below.
Application available on Tuesday, February 7th
- Application opens at 11 a.m. and closes at 1 p.m.
- Application reopens at 4 p.m. and closes at 6 p.m.
Important: You must be logged in with your Highline student account when completing this application.
Attend an Application Help Session
Need help with the application? Attend one of the sessions listed below.
Tuesday, February 7, 11 a.m.-1 p.m. and 4-6 p.m.
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- In Person: Building 6, Room 151
- Online: Application Help Session Zoom Link
Disbursement of Funds Through BankMobile Disbursements
If you have been identified as a student who will receive funding, funding will be disbursed using your refunding preference established with BankMobile Disbursements. Please be sure your current address is on file with our registration office. For more information about BankMobile Disbursements, visit the Highline College refunds page. Contact Highline College’s Financial Aid office for additional information about establishing your BankMobile Disbursements refunding preference.
Disclaimer: It is the student’s responsibility to pay tuition and fees: The funding available is limited, and unfortunately not all students who apply will receive funding. Students who are funded may not receive the total amount requested. Therefore it is important for students to continue to communicate and work with Highline College Cashier’s office to cover any balance due.
Questions?
Email us at caresfunding@highline.edu with any questions you may have on the COVID-19 Financial Relief Fund.
FAQs
The CRRSSA Act and American Relief Plan is federal legislation that provides a variety of financial support to individuals and businesses affected by the COVID-19 (novel coronavirus) pandemic. One part of this federal program allocates money to Highline College, and a portion of that allocation can be awarded to students who are experiencing financial expenses because of the campus disruption in operations due to the coronavirus.
Students are eligible for a maximum of $1,000 for Winter quarter.
Funds do NOT need to be paid back.
We encourage our Highline students with undocumented and/or DACA status to consider applying for TRiO for academic support. Visit the TRiO website for more information.
No, this fund does not negate nor replace financial aid, and it is a one-time grant.
There are exactly two application time frames in which you can apply on Tuesday, February 7th.
- Opens at 11 a.m. and closes at 1 p.m.
- Opens at 4 p.m. and closes at 6 p.m.
If I receive the CARES Act, CRRSSSA Act or ARP student funds, can it be included in my gross income?
No, it cannot. Learn more at IRS FAQs: Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund and Emergency Financial Aid Grants under the CARES Act.
Highline College Resources:
- United Way Benefits Hub
- Highline Community Pantry
- Highline Emergency Funds Request Form
- Highline College Student Technology Resource Loan
- Workforce Education Services
- Women’s Programs and WorkFirst
Community Resources:
- Basic Food Assistance
- Washington Application for State Financial Aid (WAFSA)
- COVID-19 Relief Fund for Undocumented Individuals in Washington State
- Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)
- Passport to Apprenticeship
- United Way COVID-19 Resources
- Local Food Banks
- Crisis Connection: Community Resources Online
The Application asks for the following:
- Basic information (name, SID, contact information)
- A short description of the need you have due to the disruption in college operations due to COVID-19
- How much funding you are requesting
- Provides you an opportunity to add any additional comments or concerns
Identifying student information is not reported to any state or federal agency. Student information is kept confidential and internal for the purpose of these funds.
You do not need a social security number or an ITIN to apply.
Funds will be sent directly to students. Once received, students can use it towards housing/utilities, food, technology, books/supplies, childcare, transportation, health care, and other educational-related costs.
International students may be eligible as long as they meet other eligibility requirements listed under the “Who is Eligible?” section of this webpage.
The student population groups listed above may be eligible as long as they meet other eligibility requirements listed under the “Who is Eligible?” section of this webpage.